Drilling Holes Into Plastic Pots

[Tilly2]

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?

[RATTER15]

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.

[gingejbee]

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!

[Old_Geezer]

Don't push too hard. Consider drilling small holes first then widening them with increasingly bigger diameter drills.

[Tilly2]

They are thick, good quality plastic, Ratter. Thank you. I shall use a small bit first and see how I get on.

[retrocop]

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. :-)

[RATTER15]

If they are thick it it should be plain sailing Tilly.

[gingejbee]

OH has just suggested a meat skewer from the inside.....take your pick!

[Tilly2]

......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.

[RATTER15]

gingejbee, I cant see a meat skewer doing anything to be honest, especially if the plastic is thick.

[Tilly2]

What's an HSS, retro?

[Tilly2]

I don't have a meat skewer.

[RATTER15]

HSS = High Speed Steel = an ordinary drill bit.

[tamborine]

Skewer made red hot on gas fire will burn cleanly thru plastic

[gingejbee]

RATTER...OH does it all the time, apparently - from the inside with a light tap, first. Who are we to argue!?

[Islay]

We use nails heated up in a candle and just push them through.

[mallyh]

oh drills them for me ,I have used a soldering iron before x

[tamborine]

Any red hot metal works

[Old_Geezer]

Yeah, but it takes the skin off of your fingers :-(

[gness]

The heat method works best, Tilly......then I make the hole as big as I want with any tool to hand......x

[1ozzy]

//then I make the hole as big as I want with any tool to hand//

I'm not going there Gness ;-)