Drilling a Cast Iron Pot

MickeyShtyles

I've a big cast iron pot in the garden. I want to know if holes can be drilled into the base of it for planting. Any ideas? That's the pot in the picture.

Massey10

MickeyShtyles wrote: »

I've a big cast iron pot in the garden. I want to know if holes can be drilled into the base of it for planting. Any ideas? That's the pot in the picture.

ive often drilled cast .Sit it on some timber and drill away .

MickeyShtyles

Massey10 wrote: »

ive often drilled cast .Sit it on some timber and drill away .

Excellent! Can ya reccomend a drill bit?
Thanks

Muckit

MickeyShtyles wrote: »

I've a big cast iron pot in the garden. I want to know if holes can be drilled into the base of it for planting. Any ideas? That's the pot in the picture.

Or don't bother drilling and just stick a few inches of gravel in the bottom, then put in your compost and plant. This will work fine if just bedding plants. Don't over water. signed Gerry Daly.

Dampintheattic

Muckit wrote: »

Or don't bother drilling and just stick a few inches of gravel in the bottom, then put in your compost and plant. This will work fine if just bedding plants. Don't over water. signed Gerry Daly.

The best solution is pea gravel in the bottom half. Compost on top. Bit of two or three inch pipe sitting on top of pea gravel to a tad above the compost. Keep pipe filled with water. Great job!

bbam

Problem is lads it may drown the plants with too much water in the pot.

OP
The key is slow and steady. Start small and move up in size and add oil regularly for lube and cooling for the drill bit.
Any decent drill bit for steel will work.

gobnaitolunacy

I would prefer to use a modern reproduction than ruining a good pot.

Plus it would not be unknown for uninvited guests to turn up and things sprouting legs and walking unless bolted down.

Muckit

I have it.....!! (or have I?)

plant in an ordinary plastic pot with drain holes and place it in the cast iron pot on a bed of gravel! You have the look of the cast iron, but the functionality of the plastic flower pot Best of both worlds!! Now back to the farming!!!

bbam

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

I would prefer to use a modern reproduction than ruining a good pot.

Plus it would not be unknown for uninvited guests to turn up and things sprouting legs and walking unless bolted down.

How is it ruining a good pot... its unlikely OP will be making a famine stew anytime soon. There is a bigger danger that the pot if left lying round will get a knock and break..ive seen it happen.. then its ruined. Best put it to a use where it will be protected..

Muckit wrote: »

I have it.....!! (or have I?)

plant in an ordinary plastic pot with drain holes and place it in the cast iron pot on a bed of gravel! You have the look of the cast iron, but the functionality of the plastic flower pot Best of both worlds!! Now back to the farming!!!

Drainage is still needed, in wet weather the pot will fill and drown the plants inside.. Overwatering is as bad as no watering. thus the poor grass growth last "summer"
It also protects the pot during the winter as if the pot fills with water and freezes they can just bust under the strain..


Now your idea has merrit.. It allows different plants to be grown on pots and these can easily be swapped in/out when they are looking their best, thus you have your favourite pot in a prominent place, but always looking well through the year.. mum does this and its handy.

gobnaitolunacy

bbam wrote: »

How is it ruining a good pot... its unlikely OP will be making a famine stew anytime soon. There is a bigger danger that the pot if left lying round will get a knock and break..ive seen it happen.. then its ruined. Best put it to a use where it will be protected..
..

Might be worth 30-50 quid in good shape, worth nothing turned into Swiss cheese.

bbam

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Might be worth 30-50 quid in good shape, worth nothing turned into Swiss cheese.

Sure, sell it..

Then buy a cheap nasty plastic reproduction pot :rolleyes:

Milton09

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Might be worth 30-50 quid in good shape, worth nothing turned into Swiss cheese.

+1
These pots are very hard to get in good condition, if there are no other holes or cracks in it I'd be slow to drill holes in it just to make a flower pot out of it.

MickeyShtyles

Cheers for the replies lads!
Yeah, the main problem is it fills with water very easily and drowns whatevers inside!

Muckit

Keep it in the front porch!??

Floody Boreland

this yoke....

http://reviews.diy.com/2191-en_gb/9806916/reviews.htm