Drilling hole in Ceramic tile

JML755

Well-known Member
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. :oops:
 
I purchased a set of the hole saws in link below,
and was skeptical, but they worked very well. I was
installing a tub on a newly laid ceramic tile floor,
and needed holes for the water lines and drain.
Not sure I will ever need again, but I figure they
were worth what I paid if only for the one use.
HF Carbide Hole Saws
 
yup - diamonds are a wonderful thing.

And nothing better than getting through a "feared
job" unscathed. One more notch in the belt that
help you next time.
 
Go to ebay and do an advanced search, buy it now and
lowest price. They sell diamond hole saws that will
cut glass. Not that expensive and many different
sized. I got a kit for $15, 5 bits, biggest hole was
1/2 inch. Keep it wet and go slow.
 
Hello JML755,

Here is what you do! Take a center punch and chip the ceramic hard surface of the tile, that Is the hard part of the drilling process. Then even a regular drill will do the job! BTDT Masonry bit optional..........

Guido.
 
(quoted from post at 17:17:54 07/29/14) Hello JML755,

Here is what you do! Take a center punch and chip the ceramic hard surface of the tile, that Is the hard part of the drilling process. Then even a regular drill will do the job! BTDT Masonry bit optional..........

Guido.

This works well on ceramic tile. You will need diamond tools to drill in porcelain.
 
A guy at the local flea market has all sorts of Dremmel stuff and tools and parts and on and on. He has little diamond core bits for the Dremmel machine. I bought all five sizes he had for like $4.oo each. Put what you want to cut in water so it JUST covers it with a sheen of water. Keeps it cool and the bit does a heck of a smooth job! Harbor freight has a box of diamond bits. Like 40 of them in a box.
 
Hello Scott 730.

I know it works well on ceramic tile. NOW................. if you need to drill a hole in wood, you will need a wood bit right?

Guido.
 
(quoted from post at 11:53:06 07/30/14) Hello Scott 730.

I know it works well on ceramic tile. NOW................. if you need to drill a hole in wood, you will need a wood bit right?

Guido.

:? :? The problem is most people not in the trades tend to just call any tile ceramic tile. They don't realize the vast difference in hardness between ceramic and porcelain tiles.
 

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