Introduction: How to Safely Disassemble a CRT Monitor
Do you have a old CRT monitor lying around your house but you think it's too dangerous.
Now is your chance to do it moderately safely do it.
I take no responsibility for any injuries ect. caused by you disassembling a CRT monitor.
Step 1: Tools
- Screwdriver (Insulated handle)(one that you don't mind the tip getting a bit melted)
- Piece of wire, one that you don't mind melting, preferably a thick wire (to ground the screwdriver)
- Nail (to puncture the tube to fill the vacuum)
- Rubber shoes (To insulate you from the ground)(optional)
Step 2: Removing the Screws From the Monitor
Well do what the title says,
Remove the screws and you can remove the base if you want to.
When all the screws are removed carefully take the cover off.
Step 3: Discharge the CRT
Connect the wire that was in the tools list to a ground wire,how to find a earth/ground, on that PCB find the earth terminal of the power input and connect the wire to that. Connect the other end to the insulated screwdriver. Make sure that electricity can flow from the end of the screwdriver to the ground wire.
Put the end of the screwdriver under the suction cap and tap it onto the wire. If it is charged you will hear a loud crack, do that a couple of time just to be sure it doesn't crack it's uncharged but try to discharge it a couple of times anyway.
Step 4: Remove the PCB on the Neck of the Monitor
Remove the PCB on the neck of the monitor, there will be zip-ties holding it down or glue. Cut the zip-ties or break through the glue.
You will have to be careful with both methods.
Step 5: Releasing the Vacuum of the CRT
Get the nail or small object to break the point where they originally removed the air (vacuumed) from the CRT.
If you want to be extra careful, but a blanket over the monitor and break the fill point.
Tap the nail in with whatever you want, when you hear it start hissing that means you broke the vacuum, once the hissing has stopped you can do whatever you want with the parts.
That concludes my Instructable
Please comment and rate it if you like it.
57 Comments
7 years ago
I recently found a CRT monitor in my neighborhood and I'm planning to incorporate it into an art piece that I'm working on. Thanks so much for the helpful instructions!
10 years ago on Step 5
Very clear exposition of a daunting job. Kudos!!
12 years ago on Introduction
So I just straight up cut through all the wires and the big red one leading to the suction cup and no sparks or melting wire cutters ... could something still be charged ? Other than any capacitors ? I haven't removed the suction cup yet ...
12 years ago on Introduction
errr why would you need to do this?
12 years ago on Introduction
I disassembles one of these today, i wish i would have seen how to ground it before i shocked myself! dang flyback...
12 years ago on Introduction
when my tv breaks im goona take it apart cuz i want a flyback but i thin that the tv will have gone bust beacause of the flyback great instructable by the way
12 years ago on Step 5
Nice intructable, someday I'll do a follow up on using the parts if there isn't one already.
There is one piece I really like for non-electrical reasons. You can see (step 5) a metal ring going around the tube, just below the green topper, with a bolt through it (the bolt is at a tangent to the green circle, on the bottom left). This thing can be really useful. I keep one on my belt loop to hold a standard plastic bottle at my waist. It just pops in and out, no adjustment necessary, once you get it right.
Be well.
-Ref
13 years ago on Step 5
Why do you have to break the CRT? Can't you leave intact?
Reply 13 years ago on Step 5
As you already got a answer, I don't need to answer, but I want to. You can leave it intact, but filling it (getting rid of the vacume (I still can't spell that), reduces the risl of implosion etc.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Ooh, I found the answer below!
15 years ago on Introduction
Would it be possible to somehow extract the CRT without damaging in and to use it again for another proejct?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Yes, but i broke the vacuum so it didn't implode if i dropped it.......
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
But if someone didn't brake the vacuum, what could be done with just the CRT? I would also be interested to know.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
There is very little you can do with the CRT once you get rid of the driver circuitry. Making your own drivers are not a good idea, Unless you want to potentially give yourself a mega dose of all types of radiation.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
might you be planning on making a CRT fishtank? WOW! I am too!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
https://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-Your-Old-CRT-Computer-Moniter-Into-A-Fish-Tan/
14 years ago on Step 5
isnt there like radiation or summin in der!?
Reply 14 years ago on Step 5
No, unless you call the poisionous lead and phosphors radiation...
14 years ago on Introduction
if you break the vacume dont you have to worry about explosive decompression????
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yep, Breaking the neck of the CRT or piercing a hole in the place where it was originally filled (at the top of the neck) slows the decompression because there must be a restriction in the neck somewhere... But it's always good to be careful.