Three Tube Brush Tips for Cleaning Through-Holes

Tube brushes are industrial brushing tools for cleaning the inside of holes and other hard-to-reach areas.  Applications include removing chips, dirt, oil, rust, and corrosion. Filament types vary, but include stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, nylon, and natural bristle.

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Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) supplies many different types of tube brushes, but Series 84 tools are a great choice for cleaning through-holes. These ring-handled brushes are built for manual use, but the rings can be cut-off to allow these tube brushes to be power-driven.

No matter how you use them, Series 84 tube brushes get strong results when you follow these three tips.

1. Size Up Your Options

As The Use of Industrial Brushes explains, tube brushes work best when they’re properly-sized for the holes that they need to clean. Because the tips of the filaments provide the cutting action, you don’t need a brush diameter that’s super-sized. You don’t need an excessively long brush part either.  An overly long brush part can create significant friction, which makes through-hole cleaning more difficult.       

While sizing up your Series 84 options, it’s also important to understand how tube brush measurements are specified. A tool that’s described as 2x4x8 has a 2” diameter, a 4” long brush part, and an overall length of 8”. Tube brushes carry product specifications for filament size, too.   

For more Twisted Wire Tube Brushinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

2. Choose the Best Bristle  

Series 84 tube brushes come in a choice of filament or bristle materials. Consider the following points if you need help deciding whether to choose stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, nylon, or natural bristle.   

• Stainless steel tube brushes tend to work-harder quickly. The stem wire becomes extremely hard, but is relatively flexible.
• Carbon steel tube brushes offer excellent cutting action and fatigue resistance.
• Brass brushes are softer than stainless steel and are a good choice for applications where you don’t want to scratch the surface.     
• Nylon tube brushes can withstand most cleaning solvents and mild acids. The tips of these tube brushes tend to become sharp after extended use, which cuts their cleaning power.  
• Natural bristle tube brushes won’t scratch surfaces and are recommended for very fine and delicate work. They’re great for removing dust and won’t pick up and carry static electricity.

3. Buy Cost-Effective Kits

BRM supplies Series 84 tube brushes individually and in cost-effective kits. Each kit is lettered and comes with a carbiner for easy storage and handling.  

• Kit A contains brushes for holes 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”, and 7/16”.
• Kit B is contains brushes for holes 1/2", 9/16”, 5/8”, 3/4”, 7/8”, and 1”.
• Kit C is for brushes for holes 1-1/8”, 1-1/4”, 1-3/8”, 1-1/2”, 1-5/8”, and 1-3/4”.

A complete selection of specially designed, high quality cleaning brushes for all cleaning tasks in your lab. With this wide choice of cleaning brushes, made in the U.S.A., you will find the perfect brush to clean glassware, baths, ducts, pipes, hoses, ultrasonic cleaners, instruments, etc. Brushes are available for both delicate and heavy cleaning tasks with sturdy polypropylene bristles, non-scratching cleaning with soft closed cell polypropylene and large area cleaning with non-woven polypropylene open fiber pads.

Most brushes are constructed with galvanized steel wire and polypropylene handles. Brushes with the narrower galvanized wire are designed to be bent to reach difficult places or to comply with the form of the container which needs to be cleaned.

Thin Tube Cleaning Brush

use to clean thin tubing
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 35cm (13.8")
Brush length x diameter: 32mm x 8mm dia. (1.25" x 5/16" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.52mm/2.9mm (.060"/.115")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Thin Tube Cleaning Brush pkg/4 $15.00 Qty:

Strong Spout and Tube Brush

heavy twisted wire for bend resistance
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 30cm (12")
Brush length x diameter: 89mm x 9.5mm dia. (3-1/2" x 3/8" dia.) with taper at tip
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.52mm/2.9mm (.060"/.115")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Strong Spout and Tube Brush pkg/3 $17.00 Qty:

Pipe and Drain Brush

thin, flexible brush
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 33.7cm (13-1/4")
Brush length x diameter: 34mm x 8mm dia. (13-1/4" x 5/16" dia.) with taper at tip
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.52mm/2.9mm (.060"/.115")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Pipe and Drain Brush pkg/3 $13.00 Qty:

Test Tube Brush

brush may be spread apart to adjust to size
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 16.8cm (6-5/8")
Brush length x diameter: 34mm x 11mm dia. each (6-5/8" x 7/16" dia. each)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.52mm/2.9mm (.060"/.115")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Test Tube Brush pkg/2 $14.00 Qty:

Funnel and Spout Brush

for cleaning inside tapered tubes and spouts
easily bent to form to shape
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 22cm (8-1/2")
Brush length x diameter: 22cm x 24mm dia. (8-1/2" x 15/16" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.34mm/4.39mm (.092"/.173")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Funnel and Spout Brush pkg/3 $15.00 Qty:

Long Bottle and Flask Brush

can be bent to conform to interior curve of flask
can be used with hot water
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 40.6cm (16")
Brush length x diameter: 40.6cm x 48mm dia. (16" x 1-7/8" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.28mm/6.4mm (.090"/.252")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Long Bottle and Flask Brush pkg/2 $16.00 Qty:

24" Long Pipe Brush

good for cleaning long narrow openings and pipes
handle and bristles are polypropylene

Contact us to discuss your requirements of wire tube brush. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Length from handle to tip of brush: 63.5cm (25")
Brush length x diameter: 62.3cm x 32mm dia. (24-1/2" x 1-1/4" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.28mm/6.4mm (.090"/.252")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote 24" Long Pipe Brush each $9.00 Qty:

Faucet and Handle Brush

bends to conform to many shapes
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to handle: 42.5cm (16-3/4")
Brush length x diameter: 37.5cm x 24mm dia. (14-3/4" x 15/16" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.40mm/3.3mm (.055"/.130")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Faucet and Handle Brush pkg/2 $12.00 Qty:

Bottle Brush, Bent

brush can be bent to conform to bottle shape
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 30cm (12")
Brush length x diameter: 165mm x 38mm dia. (6-1/2" x 1-1/2" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.52mm/2.9mm (.060"/.115")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Bottle Brush, Bent pkg/3 $15.00 Qty:

Round Glass and Jar Brush

cleaning a beaker, heavy twisted wire for bend resistance
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 17.1cm (6.75")
Brush width x diameter of coil: 44mm x 89mm dia. (1-3/4" x 3-1/2" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.34mm/4.37mm (.092"/.170") Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Round Glass and Jar Brush pkg/2 $10.00 Qty:

Large Cylinder Brush

scrub the sides and bottom of cylindrical lab ware
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 25.4cm (10")
Brush length x diameter: 24cm x 38mm dia. (9-1/2" x 1-1/2" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.3mm/4.6mm (.090"/.180")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Large Cylinder Brush pkg/3 $11.90 Qty:

Flat Bottom Flask Brush

can be bent to conform to multiple shapes
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 31.8cm (12-1/2")
Brush length x diameter: 30.5cm x 44mm dia. (12" x 1-3/4" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.3mm/4.6mm (.090"/.180")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Flat Bottom Flask Brush pkg/2 $11.00 Qty:

Round Bottom Flask Brush

handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 38.1cm (15")
Brush length x diameter: 38.1cm x 44mm dia. (15" x 1-3/4" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.3mm/4.6mm (.090"/.180")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Round Bottom Flask Brush pkg/2 $16.00 Qty:

Soft Washing Brush, Short

good for washing stubby lab equipment.
handle is polypropylene, bristles are closed cell polypropylene foam Length from handle to tip of brush: 15.3cm (6")
Brush length x diameter: 89mm x 77mm dia. (3-1/2"" x 3" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.3mm/4.6mm (.090"/.180")
Polypropylene plastic wire cover tube: 9.5mm dia. (3/8" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Soft Washing Brush, Short pkg/2 $16.00 Qty:

Soft Washing Brush, Long

excellent for washing deep graduated cylinders and flasks
handle is twisted wire covered with polypropylene shrink tubing, bristles are closed cell polypropylene foam Length from handle to tip of brush: 36.8cm (14-1/2")
Brush length x diameter: 89mm x 77mm dia. (3-1/2"" x 3" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.3mm/4.6mm (.090"/.180")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Soft Washing Brush, Long each $9.00 Qty:

Soft Round Flask Brush, Adjustable

can be adjusted by bending to shape or spreading dual brushes
handle is polypropylene, bristles are closed cell polypropylene foam Length from handle to tip of brush: 27.9cm (11")
Brush length x diameter: 27.9cm x 22mm (x2) dia. (11" x 7/8 (x2)" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Soft Round Flask Brush, Adjustable each $9.00 Qty:

Cylinder Soft Brush, 1"

can easily be bent to shape by pushing down into container
handle is polypropylene, bristles are closed cell polypropylene foam
soft foam can be squeezed to less than 1/2" Length from handle to tip of brush: 36.8cm (14-1/2")
Brush length x diameter: 36.8cm x 25mm dia. (14-1/2" x 1" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Cylinder Soft Brush, 1" each $10.00 Qty:

Soft Flask Brush, 7/8"

stiffer and harder to bend than and
handle is polypropylene, bristles are closed cell polypropylene foam Length from handle to tip of brush: 30.5cm (12")
Brush length x diameter: 30.5cm x 22mm dia. (12" x 7/8" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Soft Flask Brush, 7/8" each $9.00 Qty:

Jar Washing Brush

tough plastic bristles will not damage delicate glassware
stiff, non-bending handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 146mm (5-3/4")
Brush length x diameter: 146mm (x2) x 25mm dia. (5-3/4 (x2)" x 1" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 2.3mm/5.1mm (.090"/.2")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Jar Washing Brush pkg/2 $9.75 Qty:

Keyboard Duster

good for cleaning all sensitive equipment
handle and bristles are polypropylene Total length: 17.8cm (7")
Brush length x diameter: 41mm x 19mm dia. (1-5/8" x 3/4" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Keyboard Duster pkg/2 $10.00 Qty:

Soft Instrument Duster

for microscopes, printed circuits, laboratory instruments, etc.
handle and bristles are polypropylene Total length: 16.5cm (6-1/2")
Brush length x diameter: 41mm x 19mm dia. (1-5/8" x 3/4" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Soft Instrument Duster pkg/2 $12.00 Qty:

31" Lab Drain Snake

flexible stem easily bends to fit into drain traps Length from handle to tip of snake: 67.9cm (26-3/4")
Diameter of flexible stem: 4.8mm dia. (3/16" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Lab Drain Snake, 31" each $9.00 Qty:


Length from handle to tip of brush: 49.5cm (19-1/2")
Brush length x diameter: 38mm x 32mm (1-1/2" x 1-1/4")
Diameter of flexible stem: 5.4mm (0.212")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Flexible Lab Drain Brush, 22" each $10.00 Qty:


Length from handle to tip of brush: 122cm (48")
Brush length x diameter: 38mm x 25mm dia. (1-1/2" x 1" dia.)
Twisted pair wire, individual wire diameter/overall diameter: 1.6mm/2.95mm (.063"/.116")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Flexible Tube Brush, 48" each $11.00 Qty:

4" dia. Vent Duct Brush, 24"

flexible stem for cleaning dryer vent, air ducts
can be used on straight, 45° and 90° bent ducts
handle and bristles are polypropylene Length from handle to tip of brush: 78.7cm (31")
Brush length x diameter: 64mm x 102mm dia. (2-1/2" x 4" dia.)
Diameter of flexible stem: 4.8mm dia. (3/16" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote 4" dia. Vent Duct Brush, 24" each $11.00 Qty:

Small Lab Bottle Pad Brush

firm handle curved end on brush
works well on glass and plastic bottles
brush is a non woven polypropylene material Length from handle to tip of brush: 18.4cm (7-1/4")
Brush length x width: 114mm x 38mm (4-1/2" x 1-1/2")
Polypropylene plastic wire cover tube: 13mm dia. (1/2" dia.)
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Small Lab Bottle Pad Brush pkg/2 $14.00 Qty:

Large Lab Bath Pad Brush

long, sturdy plastic handle, good for cleaning ultrasonic cleaners, tubs and washing basins
not affected by detergents and chemicals
brush is a non woven polypropylene material Length of handle: 24.8cm (9-3/4")
Brush length x width: 114mm x 76mm (4-1/2" x 3")
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote Large Lab Bath Pad Brush pkg/2 $18.00 Qty:

Lab Vat Brush, Long Handle

for cleaning down into large containers
brush is a non woven polypropylene material