soldering station needs help

[Luthierwnc]

Hi All,

I cracked the composite female element housing on a Xytronic 60 watt station. It is the type of unit with a BNC connection to the iron from the controller. Does anyone know if BNC type pencils are at all interchangeable? My station is a 168-3C which is discontinued. There seem to be replacement pencils available but if you can plug and play other models that are still in production, maybe that is a better bet. OTOH, they may be completely proprietary and I have to stick with the brand or get a new station.

Thanks, sh

[Structo]

Not sure about that, but about a year ago I bought a Hakko FX888.

I like it much more than the two previous Xytronic units I had.

$81 free shipping.

http://gokimco.com/hakko-fx-888-esd-saf ... pping.html

[Luthierwnc]

I think Howard Electronics has the part but I won't know until next week. A hose clamp around the plastic part has restored the unit to working condition but it gets a little warm. sh