How do you dissassemble a CFL...

[erickdt]

I wouldn't do it at all. I've heard that they have toxic levels of mercury in them which makes them hazardous to dispose of never mind "take apart".

[Yucca]

On the one I stripped I wrapped the tube in a dishcloth to protect cutting myself if it broke (it didn´t break).

Then used a junior hacksaw and slowly worked around the mid seam of the plastic case which appeared to be solvent glued together. I went real slow and stopped as soon as I saw I was through in one spot then rotated to do another spot.

I chose not to use a dremel prefering the slower, steadier and safer hacksaw.

After the plastic case was halved I was able to get in it enough to liberate the board and tube using snips.

[jadaro2600]

I think that sawing off the screw end might do the trick, I'm talking about the small twist bulbs with the self contained voltage boosters and starter caps btw.

I have no interest in releasing any gases or mercury for that matter - the point is to maintain the integrity of the chamber and disassemble the starter unit.

[Raui]

So you don't care for the driver circuit and also whats the CFL look like because some look different to others?

- Raui

[jadaro2600]

So you don't care for the driver circuit and also whats the CFL look like because some look different to others?

- Raui

I wish to reclaim all parts. The device: http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1760709dt.jpg