WOW! it is nice to know that works!
A few months ago, I gave up on a 14" tube in a small DuMont portable... the cathode would connect on occasion if the neck was tapped, especially if the heater voltage was elevated, but it would not "stick". Since the set came with a spare jug, I just went ahead and changed it out. When I autopsied the gun, I found several additional welds that were very poor...somebody was having a bad day at the CRT plant.
Does Scotty (or anybody else) have the equipment to do a Laser rework?
jr