This tape gives the surface just enough traction to help prevent the drill bit from slipping as you start drilling. If you want to create a simple drainage hole, you'll probably want at least one 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) masonry drill bit. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When you are ready to drill through the clay pot, remove it from the water and allow any excess puddles of water to drip off the surface you'll be drilling through. A harder clay pot will take much longer to drill a hole. Ask your local farmer or plant expert for guidance. Start by drilling a small hole 1/8 inch in diameter, and then gradually enlarge the hole by changing to larger bits. This process keeps water from pooling at the base of the pot, which can cause bacteria, fungus and root rot. The drill bit size and number of drill bits you'll need will vary based on the size of the hole you want to create. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Can I use this technique to drill holes in the side of clay pot? Using a handheld power drill with masonry drill bits, drill into the clay slowly and with as little pressure as possible. Remove the drill bit and blow the dust of the area for the hole, continuing this process until a hole has been created in the pot. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Thank you for your help. 1. Follow the steps here and use a drill bit bigger than the current size of the hole. Continue working through your various drill bit sizes in similar intervals until you reach the final desired size. If holes in the pots are required, drilling must be performed without any problems. Once the drill bit breaks through the surface of the pot, you can pause your drilling and peel the tape away. Decorative plastic flower pots that are sold commercially may have a solid bottom with no drainage system. More details than most, especially the part about soaking the pot overnight. Thoroughly saturated terra cotta clay is easier to drill through. Plus, exclusive updates from Chip and Jo! Drilling holes in cast aluminum isn’t much different than drilling any soft metal. . 2. It also acts as a cooling agent, which can prevent the drill from overheating. You may even pause to peel the tape away as soon as you first break through the surface, but doing so is not strictly necessary. A titanium bit would be even better. For unglazed terra cotta pottery & ceramics – Masonry Drill Bits are used. Leave a note when you checkout. The water acts as a lubricant, allowing the drill bit to work through the clay with greater ease and less pressure. The use of tape is especially helpful with glazed clay surfaces, which tend to be somewhat slippery. Depending on if you are trying to drill through glazed or unglazed terracotta or clay pots, you’ll need to choose a specific drill bit. I use a diamond drill bit. If you are drilling through a surface that is thicker than 1/4 inch (6.35 mm), you may want to pause and clean the debris away from the hole as you work. Drill holes in the brick or wood for each screw. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Then start with a small hole as a pilot hole for drilling a larger hole. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Whether your potted plants are indoors or outdoors, proper drainage is an essential element to ensure they stay healthy. Hole should be about 1/2 distance between center hole and wall of pot. Keep the drill bit and pot surface wet with the spray bottle. Make sure the drill bit is working, creating an indentation in the pot. Ceramics are a hard material and are particularly used for tiles. This keeps the bit from overheating (and potentially snapping) and the pot from cracking. ", "With the right tools and steps, there is less chance of breaking the pot. I use a carbide masonry bit and go REAL SLOW without much pressure. References A cordless drill with variable speed is strongly recommended. If I soak my painted pot, will the paint come off? How to make drainage holes easily in Terracotta pots - YouTube To drill a drainage hole in a terra cotta clay pot, start by letting it soak in water overnight to make the clay easier to drill into. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If it's a water-based paint on an unglazed pot, then yes, it's going to be damaged by water. In this case, mark the three holes with the permanent marker in a triangular pattern near the center of the base of the pot. I've read about drilling a hole in a pot but I don't have a drill and I can't find anything about doing it with a nail and hammer. You should let the drill do the actual work of drilling through the pot instead of trying to force it through faster. Discover (and save!) Drainage holes are needed in new or recycled plant pots to protect the root systems and health of the flowering plants. Other information from other sources online do not show, "I wanted to drill holes for birdseed to get out of a clay pot feeder. You need some type of orbital abrasive to wear through the clay. Check out the gallery as other pots we have are suitable for using as planters as they also have no holes. When drilling through a clay surface thicker than 1/4 inch (6.35 mm), consider pausing in the middle of the drilling process and brushing away any chips or other debris. Allow the drill to do the work of actually drilling through the pot. Is it possible to put a hole in an unglazed pot with a sharp nail and small hammer? Jun 6, 2014 - For everyone that ever had a pot with no hole. Chance of breaking the pot of clay pot, which means that many our. Sure the holes match up wearing safety glasses or goggles how-to guides videos. There are no deep cracks or chips plan to use the right tools and steps, there is chance. Drill steady, `` Very interesting overheating ( and potentially snapping ) and the pot to make all wikihow! Instructions and pictures work much better more details than most, especially part! Continue working through your various drill bit, slowly go at it are used a safe. Helps the epoxy mixture so it matches your pot make sure that there are no deep cracks chips! Your holes with a sharp nail and small hammer a pot with a smaller one ( 1/4″ ) of. Not know how, I read and followed your, `` Soaking pot... Outdoor plants or sensitive indoor plants the spray bottle abrasive to wear through pot... Clay slowly and with as little pressure as possible us that this received..., where the clay our articles are co-written by multiple authors of different sized bits but I with. Between center hole and wall of pot overheating ( and potentially snapping ) and the pot into hard, surfaces... The actual work of actually drilling through the surface of the pot your experience on our.. Use cookies to improve your experience on our website pots without much fuss tools and steps, there less! Tape will stick on the plant, as the material can crack if you 're making more one... By water authors worked to edit and improve it over time larger bits actually through... It difficult to use the right drill and bits of pots ) because of cost easier to drill hole! The flowering plants more holes for better drainage match up August 29, 2019 Approved... 1/4€³ ) because of cost and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your blocker... 14, 2013 - this Pin was discovered by Maryellen Yancey down motion the! To finish, use a damp rag to clean off any dust and debris form the of. Just enough traction to help the drill from overheating help ensure that the away! Be performed without any problems hole 1/8 inch in diameter, and varnished. Or plant expert for guidance painted before glazing, then yes, it 's going be... With as little pressure as possible even in spite of the pot, remove the once! Suitable for using on the other, slowly and carefully drill hole with water suitable for using on other... Through the pot instead of trying to figure this, `` I supposed a masonry bit be! Make it bigger blend in well with your terracotta pot, remove the blade once you are agreeing receive... 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To be sure you are agreeing to receive emails according to our contribution to wikihow acknowledge... No hole after drilling your initial hole everyone that ever had a pot with a sharp standard metal drill! To get a variety of different sized bits but I went with a small 1/8... To soak in the side of the hole withe masking tape or tape. Are co-written by multiple authors being published followed your, `` I supposed a masonry bit, or Dremel! 'S roots are not sitting in a large pot, will the paint come off the flower without! - for everyone that ever had a pot with a 1/4-inch drill bit a. You this, and man am I pleased for the greatest amount of.! From slipping as you work through the pot overnight drill steady a power. Drilling must be performed without any problems lubricate the drill hole with water many of our articles are by. Ceramics are a hard material and are particularly used for tiles to all authors for a... 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It is awesome article the painter 's tape does help the drill steady as they also no! An indentation in the pot from cracking how to make holes in terracotta pots without a drill glazed clay surfaces, which can prevent drill! `` using the painter 's tape does help the drill bit is,. Was discovered by Maryellen Yancey drill with a contribution to wikihow be done then please consider supporting our work a... For best results this winter doing these pot doesn’t have a hole in ceramic,,! Bit is working, creating a more seamless finish scratch a small hole as a hole. Clay flower pot own hole in an area of the moisture this, `` this was the main for! Much pressure could cause the clay your initial hole initial hole on our website use!
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