Netafim 1/4" (.160") Plastic Handle Punch

A quick guide to creating clean, leak-free holes with your manual punch.

Step 1: Secure the Tubing
Lay your poly mainline tubing on a flat surface or grip it firmly with your free hand. Ensure the tubing is warm if possible (leave it in the sun) to make puncturing easier.

Step 2: Position the Punch
Grip the plastic handle of the Netafim punch securely. Position the sharp metal tip directly against the side of the tubing exactly where you want your emitter.

Step 3: Push and Twist
Apply firm downward pressure while giving the handle a slight twisting motion. This helps the metal pin pierce the plastic cleanly without crushing the wall of the tube. You will hear a distinct "pop."

Step 4: Insert Your Fitting
Pull the punch straight out of the hole. Immediately push your Netafim emitter or 1/4-inch transfer barb into the fresh opening until it snaps into place.

As I expand my irrigation system this spring, how do I keep the Netafim Plastic Handle Punch Tool working smoothly?
Wipe the metal tip of the Netafim Plastic Handle Punch Tool clean of mud and sap after spring planting. A clean, sharp tip ensures perfectly round holes, preventing leaks around new emitters.

Storing the tool in a dry place during the off-season also prevents the metal tip from rusting, ensuring it easily glides through poly tubing for years to come.

Will the Netafim Plastic Handle Punch Tool work on standard 1/4" transfer barbs?
Yes, this tool punches a standard 0.160-inch hole, which accommodates Netafim TechFlow emitters, Woodpecker drippers, and universally sized 1/4-inch transfer barbs perfectly.

Because this is the industry standard size for micro drip fittings, this punch is highly versatile and works with almost all brands of point-source emitters.

What size tubing can I use the Netafim Plastic Handle Punch Tool on?
You can use this punch on 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch, or 1-inch polyethylene mainline tubing. It is not designed to punch rigid PVC pipe or thin-walled drip tape.

Because it is a push-style handle punch rather than a crescent punch, it does not wrap around the pipe, meaning it can be used on larger diameter hoses without an issue.

Does the Netafim Plastic Handle Punch Tool remove a core of plastic from the pipe?
No, the metal tip of the Netafim Plastic Handle Punch Tool stretches and punctures the plastic rather than coring it. This ensures the tubing wall shrinks tightly around the inserted barb.

Punches that remove a core of plastic run the risk of dropping that plastic plug inside the pipe, which can flow downstream and clog your emitters.