I use a band saw. I cut slits in the 5 "supports" on the bottoms of the bottles. The water drains right out. Then I cut them in half with the same saw. I did 70 in about 20 minutes. I can't imagine doing this with scissors or an X-acto.

Most of what I've done so far is in tp rolls, I actually like making those little pots. A few years ago I was drilling holes in cups and milk jugs, but hubs had the drill at work today.

The scissors I use are for cutting tin with and I use the same scissors for cutting chicken wire. They go through pretty much anything. I love them, and hubby won't get his mitts on them! Well... ok, but only if he really needs to! ;)

I've been using a drill to put holes in my containers.

I use a soldering iron. Cuts through 'em like butta!

Bonnie

I used a heated up ice pick last year but am thinking of using a drill this year.

I use a cheap wood buring pen I bought at Walmart for about $8.00. It makes the holes on the bottom of the milk jugs perfectly in about a second! I do it outside of course because the fumes would kill you if you tried it indoors!
Joann

Last year I used the awl tool on my swiss army knife. This worked well and reasonably quickly and is a short tool so I was unlikely to stab myself. I also tried a drill bit, which worked okay. However, both of these tools make holes that have sharp edges.

This fall I bought myself a soldering iron to use for the remaining holes. The main reason? Because I raised Monarch butterflies this summer, and reared the caterpillars in my WSing salad boxes. Although I lined the bottom of the container with a napkin, I read that sharp edges in the container could harm the baby caterpillars, and sometimes those little buggers crawl around all over. Hopefully the soldering iron will create holes with smooth edges. It will probably be easier to use too.

Reiterating here. Please be careful with whatever tool you are using!!! I finally got started sowing today. I did six containers. On the sixth one, my scissors did not cut through the duct tape and then got stuck in it. As I was trying to free them, I slid my thumb across one of the blades. While they were too dull to cut the duct tape, they were sharp enough to cut through skin. Ouch!!! I believe this is my first winter sowing injury. This is my fourth year.

Pat

uh oh...we don't want anyone hurt.
I used a soldering iron the past three years. This year, I'm using my husband's drill (except I hate when I lift the drill up and the bit is still in the jug...lol)

Linda

lblack, keep the drill running as you pull it out and it won't stick. If the drill bit is still moving it slides right out.

BE CAREFUL FOLKS!

I have been using an awl. So far works great, a few plastics will crack instead of poke holes though. I was thinking about trying my hot glue gun instead of a soldering iron,I think it would be hot enough.

Ginsu knife here.

I'm also using a soldering (sp?) iron.....outside, of course. Phew! I use a boxcutter to make a slit in jug and cut the rest of the way with scissors. I've been much safer this year than last year! LOL

One you use a pencil-type soldering iron, you will never go back to anything else.

I've used everything known to Man to put holes in containers, and the soldering iron beats them all for clean holes, no cracks, and speed. Well, yeah, it stinks. Can't have everything.

You can usually get them at Harbor Freight, WalMart, American Science & Surplus for $7-$8.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's what they look like (random)