How to Drill Holes in Crockery Pots
If you are looking for a new and interesting way to showcase your favorite plants, consider using crockery pots. Crockery pots weather well and retain water sufficiently. However, you will need to provide the crockery pots with proper drainage or your plants will get wet feet. Holes drilled in the bottom of the crockery pots allow excess water to drain from the pot, protecting the plants from root rot caused by sodden soil. You can drill holes in crockery pots using either a tile cutting drill bit or a glass and tile drill bit.
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Things You'll Need
- Permanent marker
- Masking tape
- Drill
- Tile cutting drill bit or glass and tile drill bit
- Safety goggles
- Work gloves
- Old bath towel, slightly damp
- Damp rag
- Nail
Instructions
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Using a Tile Cutting Bit
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1
Decide where you would like to position the holes on the underside of each crockery pot. Use a permanent marker to mark the underside of the crockery pots with the desired location. Mark spots for four to five 3/4-inch holes in large pots. For pots up to 12 inches you need fewer holes; small pots need only a single 1/2-inch hole.
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2
Lay the crockery pot upside down on the bath towel and put on gloves and safety goggles. The bath towel will help to keep the pot from vibrating and shifting as you drill.
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3
Position the drill bit at a 45 degree angle to the bottom of the pot and drill a shallow starter hole. Apply only a small amount of pressure as you do this. As the starter hole develops, slowly bring the drill to 90 degrees.
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4
Increase the pressure slightly and drill a hole straight through the bottom of the pot. Be careful not to press too hard. If the bottom of the pot is more than 1/4 inch thick, pause after drilling partway and clean any chips from the hole with a damp rag.
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5
Remove the drill bit from the hole once you have made your way completely through the crockery pot. Place the drill bit back into the hole, gently rocking it from side to side, enlarging the hole to the desired width.
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6
Complete the remaining holes in the same way.
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7
Wipe away any leftover dust or residue using a damp rag. Flip the crockery pot over and prepare it for planting by filling it with potting soil or other form of potting medium.
Using a Glass and Tile Drill Bit
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8
Decide where you would like to position the holes on the underside of each crockery pot. Use masking tape "X's" to mark the spots.
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9
Lay the crockery pot upside down on the bath towel and put on gloves and safety goggles.
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10
Use a nail to make a starter hole through the masking tape and slightly into the pot. Do this gently by hand. Do not use a hammer.
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11
Drill a hole through one of the masking tape "X's" straight through the bottom of the pot, being careful not to apply too much pressure as you drill. If the bottom of the pot is more than 1/4 inch thick, pause after drilling partway and clean any chips from the hole with a damp rag.
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12
Complete the remaining holes the same way.
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13
Wipe away any leftover dust or residue using a damp rag and remove the masking tape. Flip the crockery pot over and prepare it for planting by filling it with potting soil or other form of potting medium.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If the crockery pot slides back and forth while you are trying to drill the holes, ask a friend to hold it steady for you.
Adding a few drops of water to the surface of the crockery pot will act as a lubricant that will make the drilling process go smoother.
Do not begin the drilling process until you have on a pair of goggles to protect your eyes, and a thick pair of work gloves to protect your hands if a crockery pot should break.
