How to cut silicone hoses
Cutting a silicone hose can be a little more tricky than you’d expect. When you buy your silicone hoses, they’ll usually come in a pre-cut length of 1 metre, but often you’ll need a hose that’s cut smaller than that.Most people think it simply slices off, but given the construction of the hose, it’s not that straightforward. Like many things, there is a right way and a wrong way to cut these hoses, but fear not, we’ll show you exactly how to do this at home to perfection with just a few simple tools.
What Tools Do I Need To Cut A Silicone Hose?
The first step to cutting silicone hoses properly is making sure that you have the right tools for the job. You’ll need:
- A T-Bolt Hose Clamp
- A Utility Knife (a Stanley knife) with a sharp blade1
- A Measuring Tape or a ruler
A word of caution - whatever the size of the hose, always remember that you’re cutting, so you’ll need to be protected with a good pair of protective gloves.
How to make a clean cut in a silicone hose
For the perfect cut that’s straight and clean, do the following:
Step 1
Place the measuring tape or ruler on one end of the silicone hose and mark the desired length of the hose you need.
Step 2
Place your clamp straight and perpendicular to the centerline of the hose at the cut mark. Make sure that the clamp band is the same distance from the end of the hose at multiple points on the hoses circumference. Then, tighten the clamp onto the hose.
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Step 3
Double check that the clamp is set at the correct measurement before cutting. Once you’re happy, insert the point of the blade through the outer wall of the hose using the clamp as a guide. Once you have cut through the wall of the hose, slide the blade along the edge of the clamp until you complete the cut. Go slowly and carefully and you’ll get the cleanest cut.
Quick Tip: A little bit of soapy water on the cutting blade will make cutting easier and will keep your blade sharper longer. Be careful though, the hose will be more slippery, so make sure you don't cut yourself!
Can a hacksaw be used to cut a silicone hose?
Never use a hacksaw for any diameter hose this will create frayed material and debris inside hoses and you may have a ruined hose.
Can a vice be used to hold the hose while cutting?
If you have a vice this will make securing small hoses easier and therefore can be used for small projects. We do not advise using a vice for larger hoses as the hose will deform and move and the result will be a ruined hose.
