Every now and then I luck out and a "feared" job turns out ok.
I recently remodeled 2 bathrooms and needed to install shower doors. Having done tiling before, I have carbide bits and a hammer drill I've used to drill holes for them as well as door stops in the floor. When I tried to drill a hole in a loose piece of the ceramic tile during the remodel, I broke the tile. Whoa, I thought, this is tough stuff. Carbide barely dinged it. So, I got around that problem by using 2 pieces of tile. But I was wary about doing the holes in the finished tile wall and floor because a repair would be a major task.
I then bought a carbide tile bit (arrow shape) at Home Depot but before I used it, I did a little research online and found that the newer ceramic/porcelain tiles (after early 1990's) are hard and best drilled with a diamond bit. More research turned up Ridgid and DeWalt diamond bits but I couldn't find either locally, even at industrial Tool Supply houses that we regularly order from at work. Called a local Saw & Tool store where I get my chain saw chains sharpened and buy wood-working tools and they carried a Diamondsure brand for about $15.
Was a little unsure of its use and was prepared for a flood of water in the bathroom (towels all over the tub and floor) as everything I read said to make sure and keep it cool with plenty of water for lubrication. Used it last nite and what a dream. Cut 6 perfect holes in about 30 minutes total. Most of the time was spent in prep, taping a sheet metal template to the wall at each hole location, cleaning the bit of debris, etc. The actual drilling took less than a minute per 5/16" hole. Much faster than a carbide bit in a hammer drill. I used a spray bottle set on "stream" aimed at the bit and ended up with only about a tablespoon of water at the base of the wall.
I figure if I just charged ahead last weekend with my hammer drill, I'd STILL be replacing broken tiles on the wall.
I recently remodeled 2 bathrooms and needed to install shower doors. Having done tiling before, I have carbide bits and a hammer drill I've used to drill holes for them as well as door stops in the floor. When I tried to drill a hole in a loose piece of the ceramic tile during the remodel, I broke the tile. Whoa, I thought, this is tough stuff. Carbide barely dinged it. So, I got around that problem by using 2 pieces of tile. But I was wary about doing the holes in the finished tile wall and floor because a repair would be a major task.
I then bought a carbide tile bit (arrow shape) at Home Depot but before I used it, I did a little research online and found that the newer ceramic/porcelain tiles (after early 1990's) are hard and best drilled with a diamond bit. More research turned up Ridgid and DeWalt diamond bits but I couldn't find either locally, even at industrial Tool Supply houses that we regularly order from at work. Called a local Saw & Tool store where I get my chain saw chains sharpened and buy wood-working tools and they carried a Diamondsure brand for about $15.
Was a little unsure of its use and was prepared for a flood of water in the bathroom (towels all over the tub and floor) as everything I read said to make sure and keep it cool with plenty of water for lubrication. Used it last nite and what a dream. Cut 6 perfect holes in about 30 minutes total. Most of the time was spent in prep, taping a sheet metal template to the wall at each hole location, cleaning the bit of debris, etc. The actual drilling took less than a minute per 5/16" hole. Much faster than a carbide bit in a hammer drill. I used a spray bottle set on "stream" aimed at the bit and ended up with only about a tablespoon of water at the base of the wall.
I figure if I just charged ahead last weekend with my hammer drill, I'd STILL be replacing broken tiles on the wall.