Reply. Masonry drill bits look funnier than steel drill bits. Make sure the drill bit is working, creating an indentation in the pot. Even if the top of the soil feels dry in an pot without drainage holes, moisture trapped in the bottom of the pot can still cause rot issues. Locate a nail that is smaller than your screw. My limited understanding of physics is that water will try to flow to the lowest point of any container, so holes that are slightly elevated don't help. This will keep the bit from slipping. If you have the option to choose, always get a pot with good drainage or drill one yourself. Step 2 Insert a sharp … A sharp standard metal drilling drill bit should work. Remove the nail and insert the screw. I use to work in a glass shop so I’d bring in all my pots without drainage holes for 1 of the guys to drill for me. (Sorry about the girlie description). A drill makes the job simple. The center of the pot is the lowest point, but it sits directly on the saucer, so drilling a hole there would not help. Sometimes people try to put in holes with a hammer and nail, but that’s a recipe for disaster. Definitely put holes in them! on Apr 7, 2019 . Necessary Tools for Drilling Drainage Holes 1. If I want a bigger hole than the size of the bit, I drill a ring of 'close together' holes and then knock out the centre of the circle I have made. Drainage holes allow excess water to seep out of pots after watering, ensuring that water does not pool at the base of a pot, helping to protect sensitive roots from rot, fungus and bacteria. To drill a hole in concrete, set the pot on a piece of scrap wood. No problem – drill your own! Step 2 Secure the pointed tip into the wood burning tool. Next, our handyman gave it a whirl and the drill went through perfectly on this mug! Peel the adhesive backing off and stick the back directly against the ceiling. Hello-we have used a cordless drill to place holes in the bottom of synthetic pots. From now on I can do it by myself. 9/10 times you will break the container you’re trying to put a hole in. They have a carbide wedge stuck in the end, and the twists are more frequent in the shaft. On ceramics, mark the spot with a ding from a smaller drill bit. Vimarhonor. Secure a protective face mask over your nose and mouth. Keep the drill bit and pot surface wet with the spray bottle. Rules for Planting: Pots Without Drainage Holes Creating holes in plastic, resin and wooden containers involves nothing more than a drill and the appropriate-sized bit. Mark four to six spots on the plastic plant pot bottom for drainage hole locations with a marker. Its easier to do when empty— we just learned! Step 1 - Prepare the Work Area. Be sure your measuring and markings are precise because once the hole has been drilled there is no easy way to undo it. Knowing the proper drilling technique for making holes in plastic can save you a lot of headaches and ensure that your holes are clean and evenly cut. Remove the nail. Then start with a small hole as a pilot hole for drilling a larger hole… Reply. I've used a star drill and hammer, and it is OK, but nothing like a drill. A Drill . With successful practice and confident that we knew how to drill the holes (and that the drill bit would work) it was time to mark and drill the teacups that we intended to actually use for planters. Before we did any drilling we marked a hole to indicate where to drill where to drill on the practice mug. Spread newspaper or a tablecloth over your intended work area. Step 2: Slowly begin drilling while applying just a bit of pressure to the top of the drill with your opposite hand. Magnetic Hooks Many also suggest marking the area with masking tape first, saying it keeps the drill from slipping. Reply. Most experts say no—gardeners shouldn’t even attempt to grow plants in a pot without drainage holes because it is simply not worth the hassle. Most plastic plant and flower pots have drainage holes, but if you happen to have a pot that doesn't have drainage holes, you can easily drill them into the bottom of your container. Found the perfect pot…but it doesn’t have drainage holes? An electric drill with a pointy bit on the end of the bit to start you off seems to work for me. Scratch a small ‘starter’ mark where you want the drainage hole with your nail to help the drill bit to stay in place. with a basic set of bits ( that includes the 1 you need) you can do it for under 50.00 . A razor knife can move suddenly in plastic resulting in a nasty cut. Some experts suggest using a layer of pebbles as a sort of drainage layer in those pots without drainage holes. 2 Depending on the size of your plant and its pots, add a good layer of draining rocks to the bottom of the pot without drainage holes. Use adhesive hooks to hang them from the ceiling without drilling. This technique allows excess water to flow into the space with the pebbles, away from the the soil and therefore the roots of your plant. Others say yes—it is possible to successfully grow plants in pots without drainage holes, but only if you follow a certain process involving layers of gravel, pebbles, broken pottery, or other coarse materials. Making Drainage Holes Pots require drainage holes in the bottom or around the side near the bottom edge. Helpful. 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. This is actually one of the most common reasons for bigger holes. This amount varies according to the amount of sun they are getting and the amount of humidity in the air- I would have to guesstimate very accurately if the pots couldn’t drain. The Root of the Problem . This keeps the bit from overheating (and potentially snapping) and the pot from cracking. I really like the pot and would like to try using my drill to make additional drainage holes. Once you start to see a hole forming in your pot you can increase the speed of your drill. Priscilla: June 19, 2013 at 1:23 am. How to Drill a Hole Without a Bit. Use a regular drill rather than a hammer drill; a hammer drill will break the pot with the hammering action. Tips on Drilling a Straight Hole. You'll need the drill for the next project anyway. If you like it, you’ll love a roundup of my 15 DIY planters to help you decorate with plants! If, however, you find one without bottom holes or you want to turn another kind of container into a plant pot, you can add drainage holes to it. How to Plant in Pots without Drainage Holes. Thanks for the info. Please. Tallahassee Girl. Purchase these hooks from an office supply or big box store. You might try using a center punch first to keep the bit from walking. Get a bit that matches your anchors' size, and drill away. How to Plant in a Pot Without Drainage Holes By Magnolia. Helpful. You don't have to with these clever hacks from "Plant Doctor" and author of Wild Interiors: Beautiful plants in beautiful spaces, Hilton Carter. You may add more holes for large-diameter pots, such as three holes arranged in a triangular pattern. But what if you don't want to drill a bunch of holes in your walls or ceiling? The glass shop is now gone, my favorite worker passed away & I never thought to ask what type of drill bit he used. Once you have drilled through the planter, clean off … You should also drizzle water on the pot as you are drilling which will keep the drill bit from getting too hot and help drill through the surface. 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