Before I gut my cab - monitor help!!

[megashock5]

OK, I'm getting ready to gut my Galaga3(formerly pac-man) cabinet, but I'm getting really scared about the monitor after reading about them here.

I saw instructions posted on how to discharge it, but they freaked me out a bit. Plus, I just got St. Clair's 'Project Arcade' book and he says never to discharge the monitor unless you are an electronics professional. Now, I know he's covering himself, but I've never really done any electrical work.

So... is discharging the monitor something that has to be done? Can I just carefully remove it from the cabinet? Is there anything else I need to watch out for?

Is there anyone in Columbus OH who knows how to do this? I'll give you the monitor if you can get it out!

[menace]

If the monitor has a self contained frame--i.e. the circuit board (chassis) is connected to the monitor--you should be able to pull the whole thing out without discharging(tube and chassis at the same time).  try not to damage it either as I'm sure someone would give you a few bucks for it if its complete.

for future ref--there's a monitor/video forum a couple clicks down  

[fredster]

You can pull it without discharging it. Just don't touch the "HOT" transistor or the suction cup at the end of the flyback and any wires comming out of the suction cup.  

It's not a big deal to discharge it.  Just make sure the screwdriver you put in there is grounded to the frame. It will zap a little, or make no noise at all.  Just leave it in for a few minutes to make sure.

It freaked me out at first too. But once you do it a couple of times it isn't a big deal.