Homemade pots & how to make holes

[Merlyn]

Sorry Ray, that's a bit I use in my business and it would tear up an AquafinA bottle because the plastic is thin. It would tear up any thin plastic container or at best leave a jagged hole. My way leaves a nice clean professional looking hole and the "toxic fumes", if any, are minute at worst.

[Paul]

If you do choose to 'melt' your way through plastics, do so in a WELL ventilated area. As Ray mentioned, the fumes are not something you should be inhaling -- even in small amounts. Oh, and lest I forget, rather than run the risk of burning yourself or the countertop, carpet, etc; you can buy a battery-powered soldering iron at places like Lowes or HD. They are small enough to easily maintain a good grip and therefore control. It takes 15 -20s to heat up the tip and one such heating will keep it hot enough to melt several holes in a flimsy plastic like that of waterbottles.

A regular drillbit, I find, works just fine. A benefit to the drillbit type Ray recommended -- though not one I've ever tried -- is that if you are drilling different pots with different desired hole sizes, you don't have to change bits.

A Dremel with its cutting wheel works very well too ... especially if you wish to have slits up the sides of the pots. *NOTE: WEAR EYE PROTECTION! Better safe than sorry.

[Merlyn]

I don't melt holes over a carpet OR myself. I do it over the metal burner cover plates on my kitchen stove. The unibit works fine on Ray's thick plastic pots but, in actuality, is BRUTAL on ANYTHING thin ! I have plenty of experience with it ! I also don't recommend using a drill in one hand and holding a flimsy plastic container in the other ! That's just begging for an accident ! BTW, you'll get more toxic fumes in one day's exposure to a city where cars are driven (might be a few in MI, LOL !) than the 8 years worth of holes I've melted !

[camille1585]

True that we are exposed to many more toxic fumes on a regular basis (not to mention all the stuff emanating from our furniture and homes), but why willingly expose yourself to more of them if it can be avoided??? A little bit here and a little bit there adds up over a lifespan. Your health is far more important that putting holes in a plastic pot. At least consider doing it in a ventilated area, like near an open window or even outside (both of which I do). I don't own a drill, so all I can do is make the melting process as safe as possible.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by camille1585

True...but why willingly expose yourself to more of them if it can be avoided??? A little bit here and a little bit there adds up over a lifespan. Your health is far more important that putting holes in a plastic pot. At least consider doing it in a ventilated area, like near an open window or even outside (both of which I do). I don't own a drill, so all I can do is make the melting process as safe as possible.

My point exactly!

Originally Posted by Merlyn

I don't melt holes over a carpet OR myself. I do it over the metal burner cover plates on my kitchen stove.

Ah, but you had not mentioned that. Besides, such precautions are something that may not have occurred to others. Also should the heated item slip out of the wrench's grip (which is possible virtually no matter what precautions one takes) said item can bounce and roll to come in contact with other items.

Originally Posted by Merlyn

I also don't recommend using a drill in one hand and holding a flimsy plastic container in the other ! That's just begging for an accident !

Who said anything about holding the bottle in the other hand? That is JUST as dangerous if you are melting holes with the hot rod in one hand and the bottle in the other. No matter whether you are drilling or melting, the bottle/pot should be braced against a solid object with your free hand (or better yet in a vise if you are fortunate enough to have a workshop). You should NEVER drill or melt with the bit or hot rod going in the direction of your hand.

[Merlyn]

Now WHY didn't I think of that ?? First, you should buy yourself a workshop, then an entire body safe suit complete with oxygen tanks and erect a sterile chamber in the workshop to do all this DANGEROUS work as safely as possible !!!!!!!!!!!! I wasn't raised by overprotective parents, thank the forces that be !!!

[glengary54]

Chryss - I don't know how safely you do things but I couldn't help but notice the blood under your nail in your pictures, sh-t happens. lol

[Merlyn]

Yeh, that's the acquired wisdom part of experience ! I'm not a college professor but a skilled professional tradesman !

[glengary54]

I wasn't aware that it took skill to smash your finger, see we learn something new everyday. lol

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Merlyn

Now WHY didn't I think of that ?? First, you should buy yourself a workshop, then an entire body safe suit complete with oxygen tanks and erect a sterile chamber in the workshop to do all this DANGEROUS work as safely as possible !!!!!!!!!!!! I wasn't raised by overprotective parents, thank the forces that be !!!

Taking intelligent precautions has nothing to do with "over protectiveness" ... just common sense. (Though admittedly common sense is not so common any more. )

Originally Posted by glengary54

I wasn't aware that it took skill to smash your finger, see we learn something new everyday. lol