Safe way to release CRT vacuum?

[Phil Nelson]

A visitor to my website asked what is the safest way to release a CRT's vacuum seal. He is making some kind of art installation. Never fear, he's using new-ish BPC discards, nothing vintage.

Never having done this myself, I did a thought experiment. Seems you could use a mini torch or soldering gun to unsolder the pins and remove the base, and then twist that little glass nib at the end with a heavy plier (wearing stout gloves and other protective gear, of course).

Better ideas? Before you suggest any cowboy stuff, picture me being sued by the estate of some starving artist who caught a shard of glass in the jugular and was found with a printout of my email instructions in his cold, dead hand

Phil Nelson