As much as we don't like it, some sets CAN'T be saved. Repurposing them in this case, in their original intent and form, is a great thing.
Take this 1950 General Electric that I had. The chassis was badly rusted, and the picture tube was necked. It's neither rare nor valuable, and unrepairable in my estimation.
I removed and tossed the chassis, and cut apart the cabinet on a 1990s era GE color set, and even mounted the remote sensor in a spot that it could be used. I was darn proud of it, and it was a great and watchable conversation piece.
I sold it to a local '50s ice cream shop, and it's now in use playing 50s TV shows in their store
This is a pic after I got it done.....
