Smashes holes in sides of barrels (6)
I believe the answer is:
staves
This might be a double definition.
'smashes holes' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'sides of barrels' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for staves that I've seen before include "Curved strips of wood in barrel" , "Lines in a musical score; parts of a barrel" , "Slats" , "Curved wooden sides of barrel" , "Verses. stanzas" .)