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How to make a hole in a silicon hose
johnH20 - 10/5/14 at 08:47 PM

I need to make a 10 mm hole in a silicon air inlet hose to take a breather pipe via T piece. I am thinking that maybe a wood drill on slow speed backing up the tube from within might be the way to do it. Don't want to ruin the hose of course so would
appreciate advice on this one. TIA.

r1_pete - 10/5/14 at 08:54 PM

Punching it with a piece of 10mm dia tube sharpened on the end would be my preferred method, you would end up with slightly less than 10mm which would help sealing.

HowardB - 11/5/14 at 05:08 AM

quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
Punching it with a piece of 10mm dia tube sharpened on the end would be my preferred method, you would end up with slightly less than 10mm which would help sealing.


+1

renetom - 11/5/14 at 08:12 AM

Plastic unequal T piece ?

craig - 11/5/14 at 08:44 AM

Try a 10mm wad punch if you cant find the correct size pipe as suggested, they are not expensive. Drill bits usually dont make a neat enough hole.

adam1985 - 11/5/14 at 10:51 AM

10mm copper tube heat up with blow lamp till red hot and push it through or try 8 mm tube if you want a tight fit.
Plumbers trick to melt through plastic tanks to fit connections never done it on rubber tube though.

MikeRJ - 11/5/14 at 11:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by adam1985
10mm copper tube heat up with blow lamp till red hot and push it through or try 8 mm tube if you want a tight fit.
Plumbers trick to melt through plastic tanks to fit connections never done it on rubber tube though.


Silicone hose doesn't melt so this is unlikely to work. A punch is the only way you are going to get a really neat hole, a drill bit will chew the edges up.

daniel mason - 11/5/14 at 03:51 PM

unless you cut the hose and fit a T piece!

johnH20 - 11/5/14 at 04:37 PM

Well the DIY punch worked a treat - quick and easy. Thanks for the idea.