Tom Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 Hi all - I need to drill a few 22mm holes in porcelain tiles that are already fixed down. Any recommendations for a bit to use for the job? Using them wet or dry make much difference? https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-tile-drill-bit-22mm-x-80mm/51759?tc=EA4&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwydSzBhBOEiwAj0XN4IE3Cru0MOS9d8uWcNMrIZCxF4tpkF6zKDXy4_2HiuQqDWm7vgQTYBoCBQcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Absolutely do not under any circumstances want to crack a tile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 I found the hard pointed tile bits to be good First put a bit of Sellotape (other clear sticky backed plastics are available) over the drilling location and it will hold the tip and stop the glaze chipping. these are at SF too. I think I'd buy a big brand though, or from Topps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorfun Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 10 minutes ago, Tom said: Absolutely do not under any circumstances want to crack a tile! Crack porcelain tiles? I don’t know if that’s possible. It’s hard enough drilling through with diamond bits! that bit you linked will do the job nicely. I used the Erbauer diamond bits (8, 10 and 12mm) and not a crack in sight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvin Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 I used diamond dust core bits. Start at an angle. You won’t break the tiles unless they are thin and cheap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 22 minutes ago, Tom said: https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-tile-drill-bit-22mm-x-80mm/51759?tc=EA4&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwydSzBhBOEiwAj0XN4IE3Cru0MOS9d8uWcNMrIZCxF4tpkF6zKDXy4_2HiuQqDWm7vgQTYBoCBQcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds That will do but you will need a guide as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 Guide link: https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-tile-drill-guide/84524 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorfun Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 1 hour ago, MikeSharp01 said: Guide link: https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-tile-drill-guide/84524 Wish I’d known about these before! But with nuts as big as @Pocster I man’d up and did mine free hand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattg4321 Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 It’s easy enough to diy a guide out of an offcut of thin timber. Drill a 22mm hole in it and hold it (or get someone else to hold it) firmly in place whilst you get started with the diamond bit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozza Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 I used these to drill porcelain tiles last year, with tremendous success. I did that thing where I crammed the drill bits with water soaked sponge. Was able to drill very close to the edge of the tiles. if you use them be aware of the tendency for them to slip until your get a groove created, I found going it at a slight angle, create a slight half moon shaped groove, then bring drill up to 90 degrees to create the full circle then obviously dril through. If that makes sense. As you only have one go as the tiles are they fixed you may wish to consider creating a timber drill jig. If you wish to use them. Better still buy a similar single porcelain tile sample and practice to get your technique. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DTHGN5N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 2 hours ago, Tom said: Hi all - I need to drill a few 22mm holes in porcelain tiles that are already fixed down. Any recommendations for a bit to use for the job? Using them wet or dry make much difference? https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-tile-drill-bit-22mm-x-80mm/51759?tc=EA4&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwydSzBhBOEiwAj0XN4IE3Cru0MOS9d8uWcNMrIZCxF4tpkF6zKDXy4_2HiuQqDWm7vgQTYBoCBQcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Absolutely do not under any circumstances want to crack a tile! The core type are by far the best Plenty of water 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 (edited) Thanks all. I like the look of the erbauer guide but think I'll try the ply offcut method - not that I've got massive balls though, more that I'm massively tight Edited June 21 by Tom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 2 hours ago, saveasteading said: I found the hard pointed tile bits to be good First put a bit of Sellotape (other clear sticky backed plastics are available) over the drilling location and it will hold the tip and stop the glaze chipping. these are at SF too. I think I'd buy a big brand though, or from Topps. Not sure they'd be man enough for porcelain tbh. I've used them on ceramic in the past though, and worked well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Ambrose Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 (edited) Yeah, good quality diamond drills will do it, but even then, they take a while. I found the erbauer drill guide a bit b.....x. Edited June 21 by Alan Ambrose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 @Tom - grow a pair mate . Great big pair . No fannying around in this forum 💪💪💪💪 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 22 Author Share Posted June 22 42 minutes ago, Pocster said: @Tom - grow a pair mate . Great big pair . No fannying around in this forum 💪💪💪💪 I DO have a pair, I believe my wife keeps them in a drawer 😔 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvin Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 I kept some off cuts to have a practice on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattg4321 Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 Not too many! Those bits start to lose their edge after only a few holes ime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassanclan Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 DO NOT USE the hammer function of the drill DO NOT press hard It might take half an hour to drill one hole Pointed drill bits won't work on porcelain, only ceramic Use a spray bottle to keep the drill bit cool Buy 3 bits and have in 3 different drills so you don't get the drills or bits too hot. The drill bits will only do 3/4 holes before they need binning, that seems to be the case with Rubi, Erbauer or whatever make. I use this company for diamond drill bits and blades. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251157798718?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0uyIXPBZQ9G&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=sZUbc1BTTHO&var=550182062082&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 As SWMBO says to me Don’t Push too hard . Nice and easy . Slow and steady saves the day . That also works for drilling holes in tiles . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 7 hours ago, Pocster said: As SWMBO says to me Don’t Push too hard . Nice and easy . Slow and steady saves the day . That also works for drilling holes in tiles . What does she say about your hammer function? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 5 minutes ago, Tom said: What does she say about your hammer function? You should never hammer - you’ll break things otherwise … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorfun Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 2 minutes ago, Pocster said: You should never hammer - you’ll break things otherwise … I get the impression you’re already broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now