Joe, I'm not familiar with the set you're working on or the specific can, but I'm new to the tv stuff too. I just recapped my first can in my little GE portable last week. If it's anything like your's, they are way easier to do than what it looks like. I cut it open at the shoulder as described above and as bandersen shows in some of his videos. The aluminum can is very thin and cuts with just a utility knife and a little pressure. Just kind of roll it under the knife point until it breaks through. This method would also help keep from breaking the plastic in the base. As was said, just make sure you connect the right pins to the right caps and insulate everything really well.

I'm going to take this opportunity to say something else too. One thing that I don't see get pointed out enough to newbies, on this site and others, is something I learned a long time ago working with wiring, cars, and later radios: a multimeter is your best friend. Especially checking for continuity (ohms setting). In this case, it is a good idea after completing the recap, to check each of the pins to the case/ground and to each other to make sure there's no shorts. If you have one with a capacitance setting then you can make sure you have the right caps on the right pin. Of course it doesn't mean everything is ok, but it is a good idea to check yourself, even for experienced people. I use it all the time in tight spots and PC boards to make sure I didn't bridge something with solder. It is also a good way to trace long wires in bundles. I'm color blind and I can't tell you the number of times I use it to make sure I have the right wire.

Ok, soapbox time over. Just wanted to point that out. Back to our regular programming....