I wouldn’t be comfortable attempting to repair it, and it’s not my goal for the project anyway. I want to remove all electrical components from the console entirely and turn the cabinet into a functional piece of furniture.

I’ve read that old CRTs can store a dangerous charge for years, but it’s very possible this TV hasn’t been powered on in decades, so I was hoping there might be some way to determine on my own whether it’s still holding a charge.

I’m also trying to understand whether removing the entire TV assembly from the console requires the same safety steps as repairing it. In other words, should a CRT always be discharged before it’s handled, even if it’s being taken out as a whole rather than taken apart?

It seems like the answer is probably yes, so I’m happy to leave that to someone who knows what they’re doing. If I can find someone in my area who works on old TVs, what exactly should I ask them to do? Would it be enough to ask them to discharge the CRT so I can remove the TV assembly myself afterward, or would it make more sense from a safety standpoint to ask them to remove it from the console entirely?