A powder pickup device has a tube formed of an elastomeric tube wall with an orifice therein receptive of powder from a vessel so as to direct powder into a carrier gas in a central passage in the tube. A tubular shell supports the tube and has an aperture therein aligned with the orifice. In another embodiment the tube is combined of a rigid tube and an elastomeric tube fitted tandemly in the shell. The rigid tube extends to an inner end proximate the aperture and has the orifice situated therein. The elastomeric tube extends from the rigid tube and is disposed so as to place a section thereof opposite the orifice.