My favorite thing is a diamond drill bit they are cheap and add drainage holes with ease.
Diamond Drill Bits, Baban 10Pcs Hole Saw Diamond Drill Bit Hollow Core Drill Bit Set for Diamond Coating, Carbon Steel for Glass, Ceramics, Porcelain, Ceramic Tile, Marble, 6-32mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L92YM1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKA902NHKXJCHB9NRYQ9
Are you using a lot of water with it? That kind of bit inherently have a limited lifetime but that can help a lot. This is what I have and I put holes in maybe 10 pots on one bit and used a good amount of water.
I feel like every plant lover should have a set if these. Or if you don't know what to get your plant loving friend... Get them these.
I find awesone pots all the time for cheap at ross, or goodwill, then just drill my own holes! Free yourselves from the agony of a beautiful pot at a great price with nooo holeeesss.
I drill holes in ceramic and glazed pots all the time. You just need a diamond drill bit. I got this set of 5 from Amazon really cheap and they work great: FireKingdom 5pcs 12mm 1/2" Inch Diamond Drill Bit Hole Saw for Tile Glass Marble Granite Fiberglass Ceramic Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1SAY58 Just search on YouTube for instructions. You just spray the surface with water then start drilling at an angle, then when it starts to wear a groove in the surface, you can move the drill to drill straight downward. It is a little tricky to get it started till you get the groove going (the drill wants to slide around).
I score cheap, nice ceramics at goodwill, salvation army, etc. My hack is that the cheaper “pots” have no holes. (Salad bowls and coffee mugs make fantastic plant pots)
I make holes with a diamond hole saw set and they’re very clean.
If you have a drill, you can buy a diamond drill bit and drill holes in the bottom of your pot pretty easily. I just ordered these on Amazon and got them yesterday:
FireKingdom 5pcs 12mm 1/2" Inch Diamond Drill Bit Hole Saw for Tile Glass Marble Granite Fiberglass Ceramic Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1SAY58
I cut holes in 5 or 6 pots last night and it worked great. And now I can go to thrift stores and find cute containers to use :)
Yup! Like these ones. I have a similar set. I've only used them on glass (made some spiffy Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam bottle lamps for gifts once) but the box says they work on glass, ceramic, porcelain & tile. I have a few old mugs that i don't want to get rid of that i've been considering this for.
I drill holes using a Diamond bit set I got on Amazon for like 9 bucks :) Here's the link: Diamond Drill Bits
it doesn't have to be pricey! I got this set on amazon recently and it has worked wonderfully for me. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ODSS5NO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My two cents: I use this technique with drill bits like these.
Basically what u/ravekitt was saying. :)
I have this bit set which was super cheap on Amazon, and I have used those to put drainage holes in TONS of ceramic pots! It's super easy, I spray water on them to keep the temp down while drilling, and take it at a medium speed.
My tip for starting the hole (that's the hard part), is to start at an angle, get a groove in it, and slowly tilt the drill up until the circle is flat on the surface. I haven't broken or cracked one yet. :)
I do similar work but with more common lapidary tools instead of a lathe.
For the drill press bits you can use these diamond hole saws on Amazon which only cost $14 (https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Hole-Saw-Extractor-Porcelain/dp/B076X52RN4/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia)
After the drill press, I trim off the sides with a diamond trim saw. You might be able to use tile cutters, but that's a big gamble because of how petrified wood likes to fracture along the grain. Cut more than you need and grind down.
Then I turn the top and bottom on a cabbing machine until I get the depth I want, then smooth by hand. I finish up with sandpaper to nail the shape and then polish with cerium oxide or diamond spray.
Can't get more detailed than that, but happy to answer any specifics if you have the,
I bought this set from amazon and have used them 3 times without any problem. You will need a drill though.
Get a diamond hole bit and make anything a pot. I am particularly fond of mugs, sugar and creamer sets, and for large pots I like soup tureens. Thrift stores and yard sales are my sources!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1SAY58/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_RFXVW2DPE1GK5VS7V843
Diamond Drill Bit Set Hole, 15PCS Hole Saw Set for Glass, Marble, Granite Stone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778NND9D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_eyb4FbF30B05M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I would suggest getting a diamond drill bit. It always work 100%. I’ve used it on glass & ceramics.
I would get a old plastic bottle, fill it with water. Poke a hole on it. When you open the cap, it will provide you with streaming water to help cool down the bit.
I have a shit drill that you just use for hanging up pictures, so I find that using a template such as drilling into a wood piece and drill from that works best.
I got something like these for drilling holes in the bottoms of ceramic pots. They work very well for the pots.
oops if links arent allowed - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778NND9D?psc=1&smid=A28KOQZTO26H9A&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp
should arrive Wednesday, will post an update if the project is successful!
This is what I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XFXHPRY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I've done some 2 dozen pots (ceramic, terra cotta, etc) without fail...just go slow. These aren't currently available, but make sure you find an alternative that has the slit on the side. That allows you to put something small (screwdriver, nail, etc) to remove the piece that you just cut out.
For the diamond hole saws you're gonna need for the spacer/grommet
These drill bits will make it easy to add holes, and they're affordable and effective. Here's a video of how to do it without breaking your pot.
Drilling holes in pots is my jam!
Have you tried using diamond drill bits? I have these from Amazon and they work perfectly! I think the secret to not cracking the pots is to drill under running water. Having someone else there to hold the pot is super helpful too. If you don’t have someone to hold the pot, use some painters tape to make an X where you want to drill; the tape helps prevent the drill bit from slipping when you start the hole! :)
You'll definitely need these. Diamond bits Turn pot upside down on a towel and add a good amount of water to drilling surface. The water acts as a cooling agent and decreases friction which will reduce the chances of cracking or fracturing. Start at a 45° angle until you drill a small notch and then go at a 90° angle until you drill through. The notch will stop any slippage. Each bit will do at least 5 pots depending on thickness, coating, etc, before it wears down. You may have to add more water as you go. Your other options are to put the plant in a chunkier mix and just water carefully, but even then, most plants would prefer for oxygen to enter through the bottom. Adding rocks to the bottom will only make rot more inevitable. I wish you luck, it's definitely a super cute pot!
Use the right bit… they sell a kit on Amazon. Don’t have to submerge it in water but drill slowly at a low speed with continuously setting the area with water. Slow and steady wins the race
Diamond Drill Bits, LepoHome 10 PCS Hollow Core Drill Bit Set for Ceramic, Glass, Porcelain Tile Diamond Hole Saw Tile Set Glass Drill Bit, 1/4 to 1-1/2 Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1KZGJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_54CR1EATVRV5K7DZZH9W
That is so cute! I love turtles!
If I find a great planter I get it drainage holes or no. If it's a resin or plastic one a simple drill with an appropriately sized bit takes care of the problem.
Ceramic takes a little more effort. I got a set of diamond tip bits on Amazon that work GREAT! You must have to make sure to keep the spot being drilled wet. They were cheap too! Link below
BLENDX Diamond Drill Bits - Glass and Tile Hollow Core Drill Bits Extractor Remover Tools Hole Saws for glass, ceramics, porcelain, ceramic tile, Pack of 10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR1HTLH/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_D8A6M0FMNPVM42DBV7Y8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Get a set of diamond tip hole drill bits. I’ve put drainage holes in every single pot I own. Just make sure you add water as you drill to keep them from gunking up while drilling.
Diamond Drill Bit, 10 pcs Glass Diamond Hole Saw Set Drill Bits Extractor Remover Tools for Ceramics, Porcelain, Ceramic Tile 6mm - 30mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPVT17W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y1TNANX9SWC1ZBA7SD61?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Use something like these. Very few teeth.
Diamond Drill Bit Set Hole, 15PCS Hole Saw Set for Glass, Marble, Granite Stone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778NND9D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_EDD43EBBAQ04C4MJY4MZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
sall good to ask. ask away I love answering questions bout DIY bongs and such.
you wanna get a glass cutting drill bit. can find at most hardware stores. or amazon, the one I linked is super cheap but you get what you pay for. I've had cheap ones where the coarse gritty stuff just comes off. so maybe get a nicer set off amazon or a single bit from a hardware store.
gonna need a bowl as well smokeshop or online I went with 14mm just cuz I have a small tub full of 14mm I don't have pieces for.
if you don't want to use a downstem or grommet you could also just use an 18mm bowl it'll fit in the necks of some bottles quite well.
LPT if you happen to love a pot that doesn’t come with a drainage hole—these diamond drill bits are a game changer!
Diamond Drill Bits for Glass, Ceramics, Porcelain, Ceramic Tile, Marble
Drilled 2 holes with a diamond hole saw
Start on an angle to get a divet to hold the bit steady and slowly work towards perpendicular and then power the rest of the way through the glass. Once you get near the end, release almost all of the pressure and just lightly push. This way when it goes through you dont break it.