Quote:
Originally posted by Charlie
Looks like the shop forgot to include the neck of the picture tube! 
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That (!) or else the last owner wanted a quick and dirty way to release the vacuum before scrapping the set. Knocking the neck off a tube will do it, but it's dangerous as all get-out if you aren't careful. Better to simply crush or literally snap off the center pin of the CRT socket with a pair of pliers, which will break the vacuum seal. I have also heard of TV picture tubes (in old sets put out for the trash) being destroyed by kids throwing rocks at the screen, eventually causing an implosion--one good hit will do it.
However, being an AK member and liking old TVs (especially Zeniths), I would never destroy a CRT in that manner if it were still good, and the TV chassis was worth repairing. The only way I'd knock the neck off or otherwise destroy a picture tube would be if the tube were shorted or the emission was so low (even with a brightener) that the picture was unwatchable, even in the dark with the brightness control at maximum.
To prevent kids and other pranksters from damaging the CRT in a discarded set, however, I would leave the back on the TV. This would not prevent anyone from using the screen for target practice, of course, but at least the neck would be protected.