Inside your CRT is a particle accelerator. A powerful transformer, called a "flyback transformer," accelerates electrons through a vacuum and smashes them into a phosphor screen to give you a picture.

You can do a number of interesting things with that transformer. For example, you can make a plasma speaker (a pulsed electric arc used to produce high quality sound), or an X-ray machine. No, I did not post those videos, but I have made my own plasma speaker and X-ray machine using flyback transformers. Sometimes flybacks burn out, and it is always good to have more than one.

I am always looking to get more flybacks, and when I learned about RecycleMania recycling electronics on Tuesday, I thought it might be a good opportunity to do so. I am thinking about building a CO2 laser next, and I will most likely need a flyback for the high voltage power supply.

Please respond if you would be willing to let me take apart your CRT (TVs or computer monitors will do) during RecycleMania on Tuesday. If I get at least one response, I will set up next to RecycleMania with a sign or something. I intend to do all the work right there so I can just pass on what remains to RecycleMania.

I do not want to interfere with RecycleMania; I just want to salvage a valuable piece of electrical equipment before it goes to waste.