Advice on a 1951 Zenith combo console

[PaulOF]

Good people,
I am new to this list, and am looking for some advice.
I am starting to restore a 1951 Zenith tv/am/fm/phono console
(radio chassis 8H20, cobramatic s-14029, tv chassis 24H21).
I've been working with old radios forever, but the only TV I ever restored
was a Hallicrafters T-54 that I did in the mid 70's. (It amazes me to realize
that the set is now twice as old as it was when I restored it. It was my
dad's and I remember sitting on his lap watching horseraces on it when I was
around 3 years old, but I am wandering off topic.)

Anyway, I expect few problems with the radio/phono stuff (except finding a new cartridge for the cobra-matic) but every time I look at that huge 19" picture tube I feel daunted. That sucker is almost as old as I am and I doubt it has the kind of implosion protection that more modern CRT's rejoice in. What sort of precautions should I be using when I handle it? I assume that I will have to somehow remove the bezel from the console and take the tube out the front before I remove the chassis from the set? Eye protection seems obvious. What about body armour? What is the safest way to store it while I work on the chassis? I am trying to track down a small "test CRT" to use on the bench while troubleshooting. Any suggestions or advice you might have would be appreciated.

I am just starting to recap the receiver, but I would like soon to get the TV chassis out of the console so I can let someone else get started on restoring the wood.

Thank you for your help.
Paul