How to make the first cut:
I have been lighting a scented candle, and then using an old kitchen steak knife heated in the flame, and then slicing (carefully) thru the plastic. This might work for you, and the candle adds some ambiance.
laurie

I used a mat/utility knife. I did find that juice bottles with a lot of angles/shape changes could be pretty hard to cut, and the scissors don't handle those angles very well. They're great for long stretches of plastic, though!

I use regular scissors, but I don't like the smell of burnt plastic so I start the cuts with a $7 awl from lowes that works great to make bottom holes, too. Enjoy your new toy! ;)

I used a box cutter to make a small slit then used my B & D scissors to cut the rest. Or sometimes I just poked a hole with my awl to start since I used the awl to make drainage holes.

Utility knife.

Karen

soldering iron.

Other Karen

Thank you all for your rapid responses! Looks like I'll have lots of options to try. :) ;) :)

Now I have no more excuses to get started.

thank you,
Andrea

I second the soldering iron.I do the holes and then start a small place where I want to start the cut.I hated prepping the jugs until I got the soldering iron and the elec. scissors.Now,it is so easy and takes no time at all.
moonphase

a dremel tool with a cutting wheel cuts milk jugs like buttah.

:0)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:353093}}