I just got this; used and there seems to be a lot of rust under here and there. I was told works fine, a repairman just fixed something or other {owner passed away}. Anyway fidgeting around with it I have discovered if I hold hinge button in the machine will spin air but nothing heavier. Agitates fine. Ideas?

Sounds like the drum is unbalanced. As you mention rust that may be caused by anything.
First try if you can't return the unit and get your money back.
Otherwise try to repair the problem : open up the unit and see what is causing this. Many machines have special switches that stop spinning if there is an unbalance, to prevent damage.

You have to do a little research here to check what is going on in your machine :

Remove the rear panel, and have a look as to what is going on.
Check the drive belt : is it frayed?
Is anything touching the belt or the drum (wheel) ?
Does anything look lose or broken?
Specially look at the huge springs that hold the drum stable.

Please be careful : do not touch anything while the washer is connected to the power.
If you can not find anything while the machine is running the normal way, remove the power - take the power cable out of the socket and put it on to the ground.

Note down how the belt is connecting the drum and motor.
Remove the belt (rather physical job, but not difficult too do).
Spin the (empty) drum a couple of times by hand, as fast as possible. Is it running freely?
Spin the motor a couple of times by hand, as fast as possible. Is it running freely?

If needed you can send me a private mail, and I will come back here to discuss your findings. To send a private mail you have to click on my handle and follow the link.

Success !

:)

I can't return it, it was my fathers (that passed away).
What happens when I use spin only; it spins really fast then if I put something in like a shirt, it slows and seems to go under the actual agitator? (spinning thing) seemingly like its not connected all the way. I opened the top and checked all the things the other posts suggest and that all seems fine. The first load I washed came up with several pieces of rock/rusted metal and wouldn't even drain, after cleaning that up drained but no spin. I'm a girl with limited mechanical knowledge, and even less tools, however my dad was a GOD with fixing. When I opened top of machine I noticed a string purposely tied to the lid and presumably attached to something else as a fix (knowing dad) though doesn't seem like therein lies my spinning problem. It's the at least 2" of space between spinner and tub that concern me. Any ideas there?

Also attached to the back of machine added much later was about 3' ground wire. I didn't know what or where to do with that so I just left it there rolled up?