thats what ive been using for my homemade pipes and bongs, i think your supopsed to burn it all the way through with a lighter before you stick it in ur pipe to smoke cuz at first some shit gets released thats bad for you but after that it should be fine, ive been usin it and it works great, and ive got the same problem with my new pipe lol, the holes too big, its gettin smaller with resin but its pretty damn annoying suckin in cherried bud, number one its a waste, and number two it fuckin hurts!