I scored this from an old digital alarm clock/radio combo device. It was labeled with a "T" on the PCB I took it from. Is this a mini-variable transformer? That's my best way of describing it based on how it looks. Unfortunately, Google isn't being very helpful when using those as keywords, so I might have invented a new title for this component.
If anyone could tell me what the proper name for this component is and perhaps how to wire it up/use it, that would be awesome!
Thanks in advance.
Probably an IF or RF transformer (tuneable).
adjustable inductor, I think . There were a lot of them in old radios
LarryD:
Probably an IF or RF transformer (tuneable).
alnath:
adjustable inductor, I think . There were a lot of them in old radios
No, almost definitely a transformer, all RF/IF strips couple stages with tuned transformers to
avoid power loss that resistive coupling would entail. A single inductor in an RF circuit
is either an RFC or an air-cored tuning coil for an oscillator (ferrite drifts loads with
temperature, you'd not use it for a stable oscillator, but its good enough for gapped
transformers in the IF strip if the Q is managed correctly. The metal cans prevent
unwanted coupling between transformers...
OK, and thanks for the precisions 
No, almost definitely a transformer, all RF/IF strips couple stages with tuned transformers to
avoid power loss that resistive coupling would entail. A single inductor in an RF circuit
is either an RFC or an air-cored tuning coil for an oscillator (ferrite drifts loads with
temperature, you'd not use it for a stable oscillator, but its good enough for gapped
transformers in the IF strip if the Q is managed correctly. The metal cans prevent
unwanted coupling between transformers...
Best answer, thank you.
And that little tube seen in the bottom is a very stable capacitor. If you have a signal generator, and you haven't messed with the adjustment, you can check to see if it is a 455kHz IF transformer, or something else.
It could also be an FM IF transformer tuned to 10.7MHz.
The oscillator coil in an AM radio looks similar, but won't normally have a capacitor installed in it.
If you take it apart, it will likely look something like this:
Excellent follow up! I read somewhere that the manufacturer tunes them, so I did not mess with it. It's great to grab parts from old devices and reuse them. I will definitely hold on to these and utilize them down the road.
if you want to harvest a lot of parts.
get a space outside, some thick aluminum foil, a brick, heavy leather gloves, VERY secure safety glasses and a blow torch.
take that old TV set of radio board, pre-warm it with the torch, keep the torch moving and not too close. if the board burns, you are getting it tooo hot. once you feel it is warmed up, make smaller circles around a 3 inch section, then parts side up, tap the board to the brick. the wet solder will fly out onto the aluminum foil. the loose parts will bounce up and off the board, almost as clean as new.
another source of boards is your local alarm company. the pull out old panels and then put in the new stuff. often keeping some parts around for spares. they might part with boards that have lots of connectors, relays, drrivers and such.'
