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Drilling Holes Into Plastic Pots

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Tilly2 | 08:33 Fri 17th Jun 2016 | Home & Garden
29 Answers
I have bought two plastic garden pots but there are no drainage holes in them. How do I drill holes in the base of the pots, safely? I don't want to crack the base.

Is there a technique for doing this please?
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As long as the pots are fairly thick, just use a sharp drill bit, if the pots are thin, use a small drill bit first before going up to the size you want. should be fine. drill a few small holes rather than just a couple of large ones.
Very small drill-bits, very slow speed, bit of sticky tape on plastic to prevent bit from skipping....and support the other side of the plastic - so you're not drilling into empty space.
Or, buy some with holes!
Don't push too hard. Consider drilling small holes first then widening them with increasingly bigger diameter drills.
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They are thick, good quality plastic, Ratter. Thank you. I shall use a small bit first and see how I get on.
There should be about 3-5 indent guides at bottom of pot for drilling with any HSS or even a sharp awl will do it. Mrs retro re potted last week and used my drill to do it. Easy peasy. :-)
If they are thick it it should be plain sailing Tilly.
OH has just suggested a meat skewer from the inside.....take your pick!
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......and thank you, others who have answered.

Ginge, they didn't have any with pre-drilled holes, otherwise I would have bought them. I'm not that daft.
gingejbee, I cant see a meat skewer doing anything to be honest, especially if the plastic is thick.
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What's an HSS, retro?

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I don't have a meat skewer.
HSS = High Speed Steel = an ordinary drill bit.
Skewer made red hot on gas fire will burn cleanly thru plastic
RATTER...OH does it all the time, apparently - from the inside with a light tap, first. Who are we to argue!?
We use nails heated up in a candle and just push them through.
oh drills them for me ,I have used a soldering iron before x
Any red hot metal works
Yeah, but it takes the skin off of your fingers :-(
The heat method works best, Tilly......then I make the hole as big as I want with any tool to hand......x
//then I make the hole as big as I want with any tool to hand//

I'm not going there Gness ;-)

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