Drilling drainage holes in small 'terracotta' pots

PMBC · 24-06-2017 01:45PM #1

Have plastic pots inserted into what look like (cheap) terracotta pots. Plastic has drainage holes but there is a void between them and the base of the terracotta pots. I would like to fill that with single size gravel to give good drainage to the small cactus plants one of which has turned brown on most of the stems.
How to drill the base of the terracotta pots?

Pete67 · 24-06-2017 02:59PM

get a 5 or 6 mm masonry bit and drill slowly, should be no problem.

PMBC · 24-06-2017 04:06PM

Pete67 wrote: »

get a 5 or 6 mm masonry bit and drill slowly, should be no problem.

Thanks will try that

K.Flyer · 24-06-2017 04:08PM

Do Not use the "hammer action" or you will shatter the pot.

Teyla Emmagan · 24-06-2017 04:12PM

Do you need to drill them? I never thought terracotta was waterproof

my3cents · 24-06-2017 11:45PM

Slightly better than masonary drills which are designed to be used with a hammer action which would obviously break the pot is a glass drill.

I've used a glass drill on glazed posts and it works OK but is slow.

K.Flyer · 25-06-2017 12:12AM

A fresh masonary bit will go through a clay pot very easily and quickly without need for hammer action as clay pot is a very soft material.

Calahonda52 · 25-06-2017 10:50AM

perhaps
http://www.adverts.ie/hand-tools/hand-drill-with-10mm-chuck/12014358

phelixoflaherty · 25-06-2017 09:33PM

Push the pot into some sand. will support the entire base whilst drilling.

PMBC · 27-06-2017 08:55PM

Thanks all.
Great tip to use sand base.

Drilling drainage holes in small 'terracotta' pots

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