I cut stone regularly and recommend using cordless drill because water and 240v electrical tools are dangerous if used incorrectly. If you want to drill holes in pots it isn't difficult or expensive as long as you attack it in the correct way. There are many grinding/drilling machines available in most hardware stores but they are useless on hard ceramic and stone. FORGET USING HIGH SPEED (28000 rpm) TOOLS ON CERAMICS. SLOW IS BEST!!
1. Get yourself a hollow diamond drill bit in the size you want from either lapidary supplier or supplier of plumbing tools. There are various excellent suppliers online in Australia or OS if you are not in a hurry. The bit shown in pic is 10mm and this is probably a good size to go for and can be purchased for under $10. The carving burrs are sweet on timber.
2. If you a using a drill press set its belts at slowest speed but a cordless drill set at fast is about right speed. On ceramics the piece being drilled has to be wet either in a tray of water or being constantly wet to prevent the diamond drill from being dulled through heat build up.
3. Ceramics are very hard and the cutting process can't be rushed. The diamond will eventually cut through the ceramic but I can't stress enough the need to let the diamond cut slowly through the WET pot and not to force it through impatience. Each hole will take about 10 minutes so please take your time. Practicing on an cheap pot is a good starting point.
4. As the drill is about to cut through the pot reduce the pressure you are applying and let the drill bit gently finish the hole. If you use excessive pressure chipping will occur on the outer surface as the bit cuts through. Each diamond drill bit has a much shorter life than you would expect for a wood drill. 20mm per drill is about the life of each bit in my experience.
5. If you want to carve sharis etc the same handpiece can be used with softer tungsten carbide bits. I use diamond for most lapidary work but cheaper burrs ok for wood. For carving wood a higher speed is preferable but remember 'Speed Kills' especially when drilling ceramics or hard stone!!
6. No. Even slower than that!!
