How to move or store a CRT without wrecking it or your back

Tube TVs have come all the way back around. Plenty of retro fans still swear old consoles look best on the screens they were designed for, and every so often somebody's grandparents are giving one away. If you're hauling one home or packing yours away for a while, here's how not to make a mistake you'll regret.

Respect the weight

CRTs are heavy for their size, and almost all of the weight sits in the glass at the front. Bigger sets can weigh far more than you'd guess from looking at them. That means:

• Use two people for anything beyond a small bedroom set. Seriously.
• Lift from the bottom, with the heavy front end closest to your body. Don't carry it by the back of the case or the thin rear section around the tube neck, which is the weak point.
• Plan the route first. Clear the path, prop doors open, and know where the TV is going before you pick it up.

Never open it up

This is the important one. The inside of a CRT can hold a dangerous electrical charge long after it's been unplugged. Don't take the back off to clean it or poke around. If it needs repair, leave that to someone trained to discharge and work on tubes safely.

Moving it in a vehicle

• Keep it upright, the way it normally sits. Don't lay it face down on the screen.
• Wedge it so it can't slide or tip. Blankets, moving pads and straps all help.
• Protect the screen face with padding. A scratched or chipped tube can't really be fixed.

Shipping one

Honestly, a lot of collectors avoid shipping CRTs if they can, and pick up locally instead. Carriers handle boxes roughly and the weight works against you. If you must ship, go big on protection: thick foam on all sides, a sturdy box inside a second box, and clear marks for which way is up. Insure it, and expect it to be expensive.

Storing it

• Keep it dry. Damp basements, sheds and garages invite corrosion on the electronics. A climate-controlled spot is best.
• Keep it upright and stable, on the floor or a solid surface, not stacked on top of other things.
• Cover it with a breathable cloth to keep dust off. Avoid sealing it in plastic, which can trap moisture.
• Keep magnets away. Speakers and magnets near a color CRT can cause discoloration on the screen.

Bringing it back to life

If the set was in a cold car or a chilly storage unit, let it sit indoors and warm up to room temperature before you plug it in. Moving electronics from cold to warm can cause condensation inside, and you want that gone before power goes through it.

A sturdy set of moving blankets and a friend who owes you a favor are the two best CRT accessories you can own. The tube took decades to become rare. Don't be the reason one more of them ends up at the curb.