How to create drainage holes in containers?

[Moopmoop]

Hi all,

It seems to me that most of the vegetable growing containers that I buy these days have no drainage holes already in them. I don't own a drill so my neighbour suggested that next time I have a barbecue to heat up the metal end of a screwdriver in the ashes and poke holes in that way. Well I've spent ages tonight and it's worked but surely there's got to be an easier way. Does anyone have any ideas please? I've lost many a container to the O/H and his ideas of hammers and nails (and yes I've already thought of buying a drill).

Thanks in advance.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Maybe use a soldering iron to burn your holes through?

Use a small sharp chisel to make holes?

A metal punch and hammer?

Tip of scissors twisted back and forth?

A razorknife?

Use a large eyelet or hook(like for a clothesline) that has a screw end that you can twist through?

No matter what you try, I recommend a piece of scrap wood under the pot whilst making your holes.

Sorry to hear your neighbour didn't offer to drill them for you...perhaps a plate of biscuits is required?

[zazen999]

How can you not own a drill?

[shepp726]

i use an old soldering iron, but seeing as you don't even own a drill ............you may not have one.

[veggiechicken]

I use an old hand drill - I don't really fancy melting plastic with hot things

[marchogaeth]

I use my camping stove or blow lamp and warm up nails with a big cork on the end for me to hold for small pots and a piece of copper pipe for big holes. Honestly though, buy a hand drill if melting is a pain.

[Moopmoop]

I've never felt the need for a drill before, I've just used hammers, nails, screws and stuff. Am I the only person who doesn't own a drill? I'll look in to buying one as it seems the easiest way, thanks for the other suggestions though.

[veggiechicken]

I have a shed-full of tools, moop, but anything electrical gives me the eebyjeebies. Finding the hand drill was the answer to my prayers

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have more drills than I can shake a stick at 7 at the last count, every kind of drill bit from wood to steel to masonary.

Wouldn't dream of using them to make holes in plastic pots, to long winded and risk of cracking.

Using a steel screwdriver will be a pain to it requires to much heat to warm it up to 'cherry red' the heat level required to melt most plastics.

If you know a plumber ask him for a couple of foot of 15mm copper pipe. This will heat up much quicker and you should get 5 holes in a bucket before you require to reheat it. This way will also leave a 'rim' of melted plastic around the hole for extra strength.

We plumbers use this method to put holes in plastic water tanks for just the reasons above.

Don't forget to wear a glove to handle the hot pipe and don't touch the molten plastic as this will stick to your skin and leave a nasty burn.

Potty

[Moopmoop]

Most helpful ^^^, thanks very much.

[horticultural_hobbit]

In my universe, ...I ask Pops if he can put a hole in the bottom of them...or ask to borrow his drill...

[Florence Fennel]

I don't use a drill or a soldering iron. I have a small, strong pair of stainless steel scissors that I carry everywhere with me. If the containers you speak of are plastic buckets, when you turn them over there are usually small circles on the base that are thinner than the rest. I pierce with the points of the scissors and then screw around until I have the hole I want. I also do the same around the base on the sides of the bucket for better drainage

[salome2001]

slightly sideways of the OP's question- is there a way to put holes in the base of yogurt pots (both the small single serve and the big pots) to use for potting that doesn't involve melting plastic, which I find horribly noxious. Also milk bottles (which make good 3 inch pots when cut down... if I can get sufficient drainage in them!)

[horticultural_hobbit]

Salome, I used a pair of scissors to put a single hole in the bottom of single Serv pots. It took effort, and I ended up with a what were a couple of paper cut injuries. Seemed to be okay.

[salome2001]

Salome, I used a pair of scissors to put a single hole in the bottom of single Serv pots. It took effort, and I ended up with a what were a couple of paper cut injuries. Seemed to be okay.

the pots or your fingers???