CRT rebuilding as hobby?

[old_coot88]

Originally Posted by CaryLee

Do you figure it was simple contamination by a leaking seal? Or would there be particles left inside the CRT even after air evacuation that might interfere with operation?

it had to be particulate contamination, i.e., dust etc. that caused the internal arcing.
Rebuilds arcing was such a problem that the Boss got a tool we called the 'Cattle Prod' which became standard equipment for 'cleaning' every rebuild prior to installation. It was a hand-held, AC-operated high voltage probe that put out probably 35 KV or so of AC. You'd apply the "business end" of the Prod to the CRT base pins, and any loose particles inside would incandesce white and fly around until they all 'stuck' somewhere and all the sparking ceased.

In retrospect, i sometimes wonder if this procedure might've liberated gas that could have contaminated the vacuum.

I would imagine that the biggest hurdles to rebuild would be a clean environment, and resealing the tube. Out here in dusty and windy northwest New Mexico, we have a hard time keeping dirt out of anything.

Yep, cleanliness is everything insofar as rebuilding CRTs.

And i still think the more correct term should be re-gunning rather than rebuilding.