Holes in clay pots. How?

daver676 · 02-28-04, 03:25 PM

How do you folks put holes in your clay pot hides without cracking it?

scalawag · 02-28-04, 03:31 PM

I think if you put tape on it and then drill it, it won't crack. Good luck.

urd · 02-28-04, 03:31 PM

i just drill mine slowly

josefg · 02-28-04, 03:42 PM

I hope this helps

<a href="http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answer_making_clay_hide.html" target="_blank">How do you make those hidespots out of the clay plant bases?</a> by Pro Exotics.

Cruciform · 02-28-04, 04:05 PM

Cool!

I already had one shatter in my hands.

daver676 · 02-28-04, 04:09 PM

LOL! There are "How to" videos on EVERYTHING these days! Thanks a lot. The remaining problem (which I should have mentioned in my original post), is that I'm trying to put a hole through the top of the pot. There is a smaller existing hole there currently, about 1/2" but I needs to be bigger, and I don't have a drill bit bigger than 1/2".

I was thinking of drilling a bunch of smaller little holes around the edge if where I would like the hole to be bigger, then knock it out with a hammer.... Think it will work?

Cruciform · 02-28-04, 04:18 PM

Yeah, i shattered mine trying to enlarge that with a hammer

I'll try the drill thing right now and let ya know.

chamitch · 02-28-04, 04:25 PM

if u fill them with sand it helps.

Cruciform · 02-28-04, 04:30 PM

It's makes a shrill scream dry or wet.

Oooh, i like the sand idea.

daver676 · 02-28-04, 04:44 PM

I just did it. Used a hammer and some very light tapping around the existing hole. Worked like a charm.

elevation24 · 02-28-04, 04:55 PM

I just use plastic ones. Only problem is that the snakes easily push them around but it works.

crazyboy · 02-28-04, 08:32 PM

when you break a lay one arn't the edges sharp?

Linds · 02-28-04, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elevation24
I just use plastic ones. Only problem is that the snakes easily push them around but it works.

It is a pain when they redecorate like that, but at least they can be sanitized. You have no control over the quality of the clay pots, contaminants can easily be absorbed and impossible to get rid of, in addition to which the texture of the clay can irritate some snakes skin when they are constantly rubbing/sliding/resting against it. For this reason I avoid clay pots like the plague these days

Stockwell · 02-29-04, 03:10 AM

Yeah, I don't like clay either.. It stinks after a while, once it gets crap and rodent remains on it.
You can buy a polyurethane sealant for them, but who has time for all that. They are also too heavy for some small snakes which can get crushed under them.
I use plastic hides,usually saucers rather than pots, for easy cleaning. For small stuff I also use a lot of natural bark straight from the woods. When it gets dirty, it cost me nothing so I toss it.
Cereal boxes are great for fussy ball pythons.
Ive also made a few wooden boxes in the past.

elevation24 · 02-29-04, 04:25 AM

I use plastic pot saucers too. Walmart has them for fairly cheap and that's where I have been buying them. I used food/cereal boxes for awhile but it was so annoying having to replace them so much when they pooped or urinated in there, which was usually everytime they went. Plus if they spill water (or if I do on accident) it destroys the cardboard and has to replaced then as well. Not a problem with the plastic saucers, they clean very easily. After a couple of months all of my cereal and crackers were just in the bags sitting on the shelf

I wasn't even thinking of it as deeply as the chemical issues and everything else mentioned -- good points. Plastic saucers and pots are just cheaper and easier to cut up than clay pots!! That's why I started using them.