I'm the Mr. Fix It type. So I try to fix before I discard. I've fixed many things for friends n neighbors. Things that were about to be thrown away. I once fixed a blower for a niece. I asked for a few household items and got it fixed. She said you are MacGyver. I remembered the show but never watched it. I had to look it up to get the meaning.

Risks, sure you have to weigh the risks. Then either proceed or abandon the project.