How do I remove yok, 12LP4 CRT for Meck XOB

[rgadams]

I can not find a good 12LP4 so I am sending my old CRT to be rebuild. It has vacuum but tests bad!

I can not get the YOK off the tube. I have tried soap and WD 40 but just wont slid over the end cap, almost. How do I get it off? Is the old Meck worth the $250 tube rebuild? The old Meck has been in my wifes family since it was new and in very good condition.

Frist time for a old TV. I am a RADIO MAN, but ran out of old radios for now!
_________________
Richard
rgkadams@gmail.com

Suny Southwest Utah

[Tom Schulz]

Well, I have hocked my fingers around the screen side of the yoke with my thumbs on the base of the CRT and then squeezed real hard. That way you do not put any strain on the glass. I am not quite sure I want to recommend that though as I don't really know how tight it is. If it is extremely tight and you really force it you could damage the yoke.

Is the base of the CRT glued on tight? If it is loose, you could unsolder the wires from the pins and slide the base off. Of course if the yoke fits that tight you might have a problem getting it on to the rebuilt tube.

[Mr. Detrola]

What has happened is the yoke has swollen up over the years and will no longer fit over the tube base. Sometimes you can get it off as Tom suggested by gently supporting the tube base and pulling the yoke against it. Years ago service magazines recommended applying an AC voltage through a variac to the yoke windings closest to the CRT for a few hours, in the hopes that the heat would soften the yoke and make it able to compress the windings enough to get it off the base.

If your yoke is the type which can be easily disassembled, you might have better luck that way. I have had a few where I had to destroy the yoke to save a good CRT when scrapping out sets.

Your question about the value of that set is a good one. No, there is probably not any real value to a 12" Meck TV, maybe $100 or so in good working condition. The set is likely not worth the expense of having the CRT rebuilt from a TV collector viewpoint since Meck sets are not technically masterpieces nor particularly scarce.

Having said that, since it is a family heirloom, it falls into a different category and the treasured memories associated with it are priceless. It should be kept in the family, whether working or not. If you need to spend money to restore it, then price should not really enter into it if you want the TV to be functional.

Usually decent 12" tubes can be had for $100 or less when they turn up. That might be a better way to go even if you have to continue to wait to find one. They seem to turn up in spurts, for a while everyone says they can't find any, then all of a sudden several will turn up. You might also consider purchasing a distressed/cabinet damaged common RCA or Admiral with a known good 12LP4, those do turn up and usually don't bring much.
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Dennis

[rgadams]

Thank you, Dennis, for your recomdations. My wife hates old things so I will put the old Meck away again until a CRT comes up. Where would I look for a good CRT? Back to Old Radios.
_________________
Richard
rgkadams@gmail.com

Suny Southwest Utah

[Mr. Detrola]

Advertise here in the classifieds from time to time, look on eBay, and also advertise on Steve McVoy's ETF Early Television Foundation website, where all the serious TV collectors are.
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Dennis

[Arran]

Have you tried running the filament for a few hours at a higher voltage, 8 volts instead of 6.3, sometimes that wakes up a sleepy picture tube? It's worth a try. If that doesn't work you could try a rejuvenation setting on a CRT tester. Since you are only going to use the TV occasionally it doesn't really matter whether the tube is perfect or not.
Best Regards
Arran

[rgadams]

The filament seems to to be open! I think that is the problem.
_________________
Richard
rgkadams@gmail.com

Suny Southwest Utah