Anonymous Semiconductors - Help!

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Original poster: "Matthew Smith by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <matt-at-kbc-dot-net.au>

Hi All

I salvage a lot of old components, especially power transistors,
200/300V electrolytic caps, etc., for my "goodies box".  

The problem that I find is that the numbers stamped on transistors thus
acquired tend to draw up blanks on Internet searches, even when the
manufacturer is identifiable.  (This includes the manufacturers' web
sites.)

Can anyone point me to an online resource where I can find out what
exactly I have got?  From markings on the boards, I know that I've got
MOSFETS and bipolars, some looking pretty meaty and thus suitable for
SSTC experimentation.

I also come across lots of ferrite-cored inductors - the type that can
be rewound.  Anything vaguely safe around that can disolve the gunk with
which these tend to be glued together?  If it doesn't dissolve the
bobbin at the same time, so much the better ;-)

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers

Matthew Smith