How often should older tvs be used?

[compucat]

When our vintage sets were new, they were used everyday. A console TV was likely the main set in the house an probably got the most use. Many smaller sets got fewer hours in bedroom or portable use.

I have found when properly restored, these sets are about as reliable as they were when new, maybe even more so when failure prone components like paper capacitors and selenium rectifiers are replaced. I fix up all my sets with the intent on using them. I generally prefer to collect common models as they are easier to get parts for. Having a junker chassis as spares for your favorite vintage set is not a bad idea either.

Use and enjoy them. If it breaks, then you get the fun of fixing it up again. Try to acquire spares like CRTs, flybacks, etc. before you need them.