I’d like to add a small hole to the side of a cheapie clay pot, but not shatter the whole thing.
If I tap a nail into it, would that work?
(Doesn’t have to be cleanly edged, as long as the pot doesn’t smash into shards…)
A small drill bit? That way material is excavated as opposed to a nail which forces the material out of its way, stressing the whole thing. But if it’s a cheapie, go ahead and try a nail and just buy another if it shatters.
Yes. Drill bit.
Finger doom of poke.
Soak the pot in water for several hours. It will soften the clay. Use a slow speed on the drill.
If you don’t have a drill, you could buy one of those plastic cases of small screwdrivers (often found in $1.00 stores) and slowly “drill” it by hand with one of those. (A flat head would work best.)
Reported
Is it a glazed pot, or an unglazed terracotta flower pot? The former you need a diamond drill bit, patience, and luck. The latter you may have success by using the soak and slow drill. A nail is sure to shatter the pot.
Soak it in water a few hours, use a masonry bit, and tape over the spot you’re going to drill. Start with the the 1/8" bit and go up incrementally until the hole is as big as you want it. Drill slowly, don’t push; let the drill do the work.
Diamond impregnated bits in small sizes are not too expensive.
A masonry drill bit.
If a cheapie small clay pot size is needed it’s far easier just to buy one with a drainage hole in the bottom than to mess with a drill.
OP was asking about putting a hole in the side of a pot, not the bottom.
some sticky tape over the area to stop the bit slipping then use a small drill bit for metal on a very slow speed and carefully gouge a small hole through, then step up the bit to a masonry bit but still keep the speed low (no hammer action!). That’s what I always do for glazed tiles and I never get cracking.
If it’s a cheapie pot, just buy a new one with a hole where you want it. Less stress in the long run.