Drilling holes in plastic container

loulou41

Just wonder how do you drill holes in plastic containers? I do not know why they are not pre-drilled, some are. I am finding it difficult using a nail and hammer. Thanks

globalds

how big ...could you heat up a screw driver and then let it melt it's way through.

stilernin

loulou41 wrote: »

Just wonder how do you drill holes in plastic containers? I do not know why they are not pre-drilled, some are. I am finding it difficult using a nail and hammer. Thanks

I have tried nail and hammer in the past but you do run the risk of cracking the plastic.

An electric drill with a pointy bit on the end of the bit to start you off seems to work for me. (Sorry about the girlie description). 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.

Sally_A

Are you talking moulded large flower pots here? If so they should be sturdy enough to drill, but don't apply too much pressure to avoid cracking. Some of the pre-moulded types also have guide holes marked on the bottom where the factory would have made holes if so inclined - aim for these as markers.

Poppycat

I use a drill on slow speed allowing the drill to do the work and not force it in

loulou41

They do have guide holes marked and I have cracked the plastic. I do not have the use of a drill but have used a screwdriver to make the holes. One of the marker guide came off easily and the rest have not come off without cracking. Thanks

stilernin

loulou41 wrote: »

They do have guide holes marked and I have cracked the plastic. I do not have the use of a drill but have used a screwdriver to make the holes. One of the marker guide came off easily and the rest have not come off without cracking. Thanks

You could try asking on Freecycle to see if anyone has an old drill they don't want. Boy are always upgrading their toys

ariba10

Hold the nail in a pair of pliers, heat the nail up, then poke it through where you want the hole.

Optimisticpair

loulou41 wrote: »

Just wonder how do you drill holes in plastic containers? I do not know why they are not pre-drilled, some are. I am finding it difficult using a nail and hammer. Thanks

I don't try as the plastic can crack. I heat a poker up in the fire and melt a hole through.

earthlysparky

I use a gimlet Works perfectly, the pots never crack, and it only takes seconds to do each hole.

kimmee

earthlysparky wrote: »

I use a gimlet Works perfectly, the pots never crack, and it only takes seconds to do each hole.

At the risk of sounding stupid - what's a gimlet??!