Drilling holes in clay pots?

[terrors r us]

Has anyone had any success drilling hole openings in clay pots?
I'm talking about reg. clay pots from home depot(clay colored)
not glazed.....
I would like to cut extra holes in them for entrances or windows.
Someone suggested soaking them in water for a week then use a hole saw
to drill the holes.....I wonder if they would still crack????
How about adding heat to the area you want to drill(like with a torch)?
Any opinions are welcome........Thanks

 

[IKeepPacu]

honestly, if you figure out a good way, PLEASE let me know.

i have countless pots in my tanks, and the most success ive had was breaking out the bottoms. any other holes ive tried to break or cut have resulted in broken pieces.

a hole saw might work if you soaked it as you said, and held a towel right under the side your drilling to hold the pot, to relieve pressure from anywhere else.

 

[tcarswell]

They have those pots with openings on the sides in various sizes not drainage holes but all out openings I gotta find a pic of one. I drilled one once succesfully. The pot was rinsed and soaked for 3 days and I used a wood bit on really high speed with no hammer drill obviously and little pressure it took time but it worked. I was probably 15 at the time was pretty proud of myself until I saw the pots with the big outlets out the side like bees nests shape.

 

[chesterthehero]

a dremel and a tile cutting bit.. works like a champ..

either get the vacuume running to suck up all the dust as you cut.. or do it outside because it makes a heck of a mess

 

[jhicks]

 

[smellslikefish]

lol well done jhicks

 

[jhicks]

I used a 2.5 inch hard surface drill bit from lowes to make the holes it cost about $13
I put the pots in my utility sink and ran water over the pots to keep the bit cool go slow and get some one to help hold the pot.

 

[jhicks]

hers is anther picture

 

[terrors r us]

a dremel and a tile cutting bit.. works like a champ..

either get the vacuume running to suck up all the dust as you cut.. or do it outside because it makes a heck of a mess

o.k. so I see the type of bit but can I use a cordless drill instead of a dremel?? also should I keep it wet??

 

[terrors r us]

I used a 2.5 inch hard surface drill bit from lowes to make the holes it cost about $13
I put the pots in my utility sink and ran water over the pots to keep the bit cool go slow and get some one to help hold the pot.

Very Nice!!! You said a hard surface bit....do you mean a wood bit???
also you did not drill into the bottom thicker lip...would this be a problem??
I was thinking once I got the hole drilled I would use a sawsall to cut from
the hole to the bottom lip of the pot........