Drilling through tiles

[Daedalus]

As above.

 

Any recommendations? I've got the general principals just wondering if its worth shelling out for some of the diamond bits or just those arrow shaped tile/glass drills.

 

Thanks in advance 

[PeterW]

Got a cheap arrow shaped one that has done most things (including glass) and is fine. 

 

Take it slow and use a spray bottle with water in to keep it cool

[Vijay]

use a tile scriber to make a point in the tile, then the drill won't slip. I've used normal drills plenty of times, start off slow till your through the glazing and no hammer action

[Declan52]

Depends on the tile. A normal drill bit won't even mark a porcelain tile. I had to buy a 6mm diamond tip bit for mine. For ceramic an ordinary masonry bit will be fine.

[ProDave]

+1 to the "arrow shaped" drills.  these are them http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-tile-glass-drill-bit-set-3pcs/53634

 

I have been using a set for years, they just work, have not yet found a tile they won't drill through.
 

[Nickfromwales]

The heat generated when drilling porcelain is the number one reason that they break when being drilled. A water bottle hand spray and a diamond bit is essential, particularly when the hole is within an inch or two from the edge of the tile. 

Is it ceramic or porcelain, do you know?

[Declan52]

  On 27/07/2016 at 16:10, ProDave said:

+1 to the "arrow shaped" drills.  these are them http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-tile-glass-drill-bit-set-3pcs/53634

 

I have been using a set for years, they just work, have not yet found a tile they won't drill through.
 

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They lasted 1 hole on my porcelain tiles. Had to go for a proper bit in the end which went through it in no time.

[Daedalus]

  On 27/07/2016 at 16:31, Nickfromwales said:

Is it ceramic or porcelain, do you know?

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Porcelain and I've got about 2 dozen holes to do throughout the bathroom once the tiles are eventually finished.

 

I'll give the cheaper arrow shaped ones recommended by Dave a quick go and see how far I get.

[Bitpipe]

Our plumbers have burned through tens of diamond bits this week while drilling the porcelain tiles - even taking it slow and using water. They've switched to cheaper arrow bits and are making much better progress.

[Onoff]

I have been using the cheap arrow headed ones from Toolstation. Bought the set and a 10mm one too. All good.

 

Also got a couple of grit edged hole saws which I use for copper pipe through tiles.

[Nickfromwales]

  On 28/07/2016 at 07:52, Bitpipe said:

Our plumbers have burned through tens of diamond bits this week while drilling the porcelain tiles - even taking it slow and using water. They've switched to cheaper arrow bits and are making much better progress.

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Theyre doing something wrong then. 

I've got bits that I've lent to mates and had back and are still drilling holes. My 30mm one is at least a year old and does between 5 and 7 holes per job. That's through porcelain and ceramic. 

Just use plenty of water and keep the tile cool. A damp sponge works well also. 

 

[Construction Channel]

  On 28/07/2016 at 07:52, Bitpipe said:

Our plumbers have burned through tens of diamond bits this week while drilling the porcelain tiles - even taking it slow and using water. They've switched to cheaper arrow bits and are making much better progress.

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Tell him to stop buying the cheap diamond bits. Iv been useing the same one for probably 2 years now without a problem. 

The brand has worn off it now. But it was one of the thicker walled ones with wax in the Center. (6mm)

[Bitpipe]

  On 28/07/2016 at 10:40, Nickfromwales said:

 

Theyre doing something wrong then. 

I've got bits that I've lent to mates and had back and are still drilling holes. My 30mm one is at least a year old and does between 5 and 7 holes per job. That's through porcelain and ceramic. 

Just use plenty of water and keep the tile cool. A damp sponge works well also. 

 

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No idea why, is there a preferable drill speed? They were using plenty of water and it was taking them ages. Tiles are not fancy, own brand from our local shop (£33/sqm) but very decent quality.

[Nickfromwales]

Shit drill bits

[Ferdinand]

Has anybody here used / does anybody use the Two Hammers technique?

 

 

Obvs no good if the tile is already on the wall.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Ferdinand

[Nickfromwales]

Id like to see that done with a porcelain tile 

It would go something like "whack, smash, bin". 

I can't imagine all that banging wouldn't have compromised the integrity of the tile. 

I wonder if that's how they did it 'in the old days' ?

[Declan52]

Think he needs to buy a cordless drill and quit the morse code tap tap bang bang method.

[Ferdinand]

Don't know - I have a big box of spares, so I might try it.

 

F

[Onoff]

  On 30/07/2016 at 06:03, Ferdinand said:

Don't know - I have a big box of spares, so I might try it.

 

F

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Any chance of videoing it? 

[Ferdinand]

  On 30/07/2016 at 08:20, Onoff said:

Any chance of videoing it? 

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Perhaps by tile 34.

[SteamyTea]

A man sitting on the bog comfortably making that sort of 'rhythm' is not the kind of tradesman I want to be around.

Probably thinking of ex-girlfriends.

Edited August 1, 2016 by SteamyTea

[Construction Channel]

Iv got a box of tiles on site right now. Maybe I'll give it a go when the tiler has finished. ? 

[Nickfromwales]

Ceramic ?

[Construction Channel]

metro's so i assume so, ill see if i can have a go tomorrow, I had a delightful end to today discussing all the things the customer would like to change................with 3 weeks left on the build 

[Nickfromwales]

I love those ones, but if theyre happy to pay for it, let them fill their boots.