[Boatanchors] CFLs

[rbethman]

Did Phil ever get informed regarding getting into the base of CFLs in a 
safe manner?

I'll tell all how I manage.

I have a Swiss Army Knife that has been in my possession since the late 
'90s.

It has a saw blade for cutting small branches or whatever piece of wood 
one desires.

I gently hold the curly part of the CFL in my left hand.  There is a 
joint that is seen between the very base end, and below the curly part.

I just slowly cut that plastic area just below that seam until I get 
through it.  I gently pry it open, reach in with diagonal wire cutters, 
cut the whole circuit loose of the base end, then tilt the circuit board 
at an angle, and cut the four wires that go to the curly part.

Voila!  One circuit board full of capacitors, toroids, transistors and 
diodes.

I just remembered this as the wife had just taken out about 5 of these 
in a still functional state.  She has been working her way through the 
house, removing these pain in the rear bulbs with LED ones.

So I am collecting these little circuit boards for my parts collection.  
It is less parts that I have to procure using the current currency.

IOW, I am inherently cheap!  Or is it frugal?

Regards, Bob - N0DGN