how to make holes in terracotta pots without a drill

It depends on what kind of pain you use and if it was glazed or varnished with a waterproof product. Clay is very brittle and will shatter. I did an on-line, "Using the painter's tape does help the drill from slipping. The use of tape is especially helpful with glazed clay surfaces, which tend to be somewhat slippery. Start by drilling a small hole 1/8 inch in diameter, and then gradually enlarge the hole by changing to larger bits. For unglazed terra cotta pottery & ceramics – Masonry Drill Bits are used. 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. using masonry bit, slowly and carefully drill hole in bottom of pots. ", you this, and I see the drill slipping when beginning the hole. Is it possible to put a hole in an unglazed pot with a sharp nail and small hammer? For the bottom two pots, the 8" and 10" azalea pots, make sure the holes match up. http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2013/04/08/diy-bird-feeder-from-a-flower-pot/, http://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-birdhouse/clay-pot-diy-birdhouse/, http://www.naturalhandyman.com/qa/qadrilling.html, http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/06/drill-drainage-holes.html, http://gardeningonadime.com/drill-drainage-holes-ceramic-pots-planters/, просверлить отверстие в глиняном горшке, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. By closing this banner or interacting with our site, you acknowledge and agree to this. I will spend some time this winter doing these. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. With your spray bottle in one hand and drill in the other, slowly go at it. Ask your local farmer or plant expert for guidance. Scoop a small spoonful of powdered clay and mix it in with the epoxy. If it's a glazed pot that was painted before glazing, then it should be fine. 3 for £1.00 This will offer you the most control while drilling, and the fact that the drill is cordless makes it safer to use around water than a corded drill. Soak the pot overnight. So glad to see this, been trying to figure this, "Soaking in water was the main information for me. This is a fairly safe way to slowly enlarge the hole. The water acts as a lubricant, allowing the drill bit to work through the clay with greater ease and less pressure. This article has been viewed 173,902 times. A titanium bit would be even better. Do. In this manner, you can slowly enlarge the hole while putting less strain on the clay. Scratch a small ‘starter’ mark where you want the drainage hole with your nail to help the drill bit to stay in place. The tape can help prevent the drill bit from slipping as you work through the surface of the pot. Allow the drill to do the work of actually drilling through the pot. These drill bits have a spear point head, which allows then to cut into hard, brittle surfaces with less pressure. If you were to use a standard masonry drill bit, you would need to apply too much pressure to break through the hard glaze, and the pot would likely crack apart. If you have a cordless, battery operated drill, you may even be able to touch the tip of the bit to water to help cool it, as well. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. A harder clay pot will take much longer to drill a hole. 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. Last Updated: August 29, 2019 You might try using a center punch first to keep the bit from walking. If you don't wish to pause, though, you should at least peel the tape away after you finish drilling this first small hole. How can I put a hole in a clay pot using a sharp nail and a small hammer? % of people told us that this article helped them. Check out the gallery as other pots we have are suitable for using as planters as they also have no holes. 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. It can help if you start with a smaller drill bit to make a pilot hole, and then move onto a larger drill bit for the final holes. Plastic and metal containers are more suited for adding drainage holes; terra cotta or clay pots may crack unless a special masonry drill bit is used. Insert the bit into the hole you started. This process keeps water from pooling at the base of the pot, which can cause bacteria, fungus and root rot. Allow the unglazed clay to soak in the water for at least one hour, leaving it there overnight for best results. These are common in most drill bit sets, so check if you have them. This article received 15 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. How to make drainage holes easily in Terracotta pots - YouTube Discover (and save!) Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It also acts as a cooling agent, which can prevent the drill from overheating. Consider doing a spot test in an area of the pot that is relatively hidden and testing if the water damages the area. Figure out a way to support the pot under the drill hole so the back side of the clay doesn't suddenly pop out under pressure. 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. Assuming you don't want to break the whole pot, you can't reasonably expect to use a nail and hammer. A carbide drill, a diamond grinder bit, or a Dremel tool would work much better. If you're making more than one hole or design in the pot, remove the blade once you finish the first section. I bought a plant kit (small terracotta pot, basil seeds, soil pellet) and I realize the pot has no hole at the bottom for drainage. Mark the spots where you want to drill your holes with a permanent marker. your own Pins on Pinterest If you only plan to use a single size, attach that drill bit to the drill now. Thank you!". This is especially important once you are nearly through to the other side of the pot, where the clay will be weaker. 1. Jun 6, 2014 - For everyone that ever had a pot with no hole. Attach the bit to your drill. Get expert advice, now. The pressure you apply should be just enough to keep the drill steady. Be particularly slow and careful drilling holes into ceramic or terracotta pots, as the material can crack if you aren’t careful. Had the part of drill sizes figured out after cracking a couple, "It is awesome article! I won't know if it works until tomorrow, but great instructions and pictures. ... on Jun 26, 2012. The drill bit size should match the diameter of the desired hole. Also, that abrasive will work best with water as a lubricant. Slowly begin drilling while applying just a bit of pressure to the top of the drill with your opposite … One layer of tape should be enough in most cases, but multiple layers of tape will provide greater traction and are less likely to peel away during the process. ", "Excellent and clear step-by-step explanations, thank you. It is not always necessary with soft, unglazed clay, but it can still help. You need some type of orbital abrasive to wear through the clay. Install an anchor with a Phillips head screwdriver. While it is relatively easy to make a ding on pots that are made of terra-cotta, wood, metal, and such, it is more difficult to do the same on ceramic or glass pot. Some clay pots don't have drainage holes in them, making it difficult to use them for outdoor plants or sensitive indoor plants. Place one pot upside down on the other. If you find that your favorite pot doesn’t have a hole in the bottom for drainage, […] This can help prevent the drill bit and drill from overheating. The smaller pot … All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Use a cordless drill with variable speed for the greatest amount of control. Work through the remainder of your drill bits in this manner, upgrading by about 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) each time, until you reach the final desired size. Thoroughly saturated terra cotta clay is easier to drill through. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Follow the steps here and use a drill bit bigger than the current size of the hole. 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. . In this case, mark the three holes with the permanent marker in a triangular pattern near the center of the base of the pot. Drilling Drainage Holes in Ceramic Pots. 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. This article has been viewed 173,902 times. If a clay pot already has one big hole does it need any more? 2. Mark the tape to be sure you are in the right spot. You should let the drill do the actual work of drilling through the pot instead of trying to force it through faster. If you would like holes in these pots then we can easily drill a 6mm hole in the base for you at no extra charge. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If you have a SAK (swiss army knife) laying around use the awl to make the holes, you could also use an ice pick Start with a 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) drill bit and gradually work your way up in size until you reach the final desired hole diameter. Drill holes in the brick or wood for each screw. Essentially, the only pressure you apply should be to help keep the drill steady. A large pot, however, should have more than four bottom holes. Use a nail to make a little ding at where you want to drill the hole to prevent the bit from slipping and nicking the pot when you are drilling the hole. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Thank you for your help. Can I use this technique to drill holes in the side of clay pot? tape the site where you want the hole withe masking tape or painters tape. This keeps the bit from overheating (and potentially snapping) and the pot from cracking. Go slowly, and either keep the china cool with water or some mineral/baby oil, keeping the drill hole filled, too. References Move the tile-cutting bit in a slow, up and down motion along the line. Place the clay pot in a large bucket and cover it with water. If I soak my painted pot, will the paint come off? If you want to create a standard drainage hole in a medium sized pot, a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) drill bit should work well enough. A sharp standard metal drilling drill bit should work. Using a handheld power drill with masonry drill bits, drill into the clay slowly and with as little pressure as possible. 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. Then start with a small hole as a pilot hole for drilling a larger hole. what is the best and easiest way to drill holes in terra cotta pots, and inexpensive? You can find powdered clay online, or at your local ceramics or craft store. ", "I supposed a masonry bit could be used on a glazed poy. Working too quickly will probably cause the clay to break. 1. I did not know how, I read and followed your, "Very interesting! ", directions and was successful. Pots Without Holes Cause Salt Build Up In The Soil. Working too quickly or with too much pressure could cause the pot to crack apart. Lay out all of your pots upside down and inspect them for any cracks. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 173,902 times. 3. Not frostproof. On the other hand, if you decide to use only one drill bit, simply attach that drill bit to your drill now. A drainage hole helps excess water leave the soil so that your plant's roots are not sitting in a puddle, rotting. If holes in the pots are required, drilling must be performed without any problems. try scratching through the glaze a bit with a sharp tool, then drill very, very slowly with a fine masonry bit (hardware store for stone, brick, terracotta, etc.) Keep the drill bit and pot surface wet with the spray bottle. If you're drilling into a recessed bottom, you can pour a small amount of water over the indented portion of the pot and work with that. Multiple layers of tape will work even better than a single layer. Plus, exclusive updates from Chip and Jo! Method One: Unglazed Terra Cotta Clay Pots, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Drill-a-Clay-Pot-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Drill-a-Clay-Pot-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Drill-a-Clay-Pot-Step-1.jpg\/aid5623970-v4-728px-Drill-a-Clay-Pot-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"