Drilling Tiles

[boxst]

I am just about to replace a shattered shower and will probably need to drill holes in the tiles. I don't do lots of DIY and I'm concerned I will crack them.

It is advisable to do it? Any idiot-proof ideas? The ones on the internet that I've found vary wildly.

Thanks.

Steve

[anonymous-user]

I've done it before. Should be fine, just use a masonry drill bit and it will be ok. Don't push too hard.

[jas xjr]

Put a bit of masking tape over where you need to drill.will stop the drill bit skipping off when you start to drill.never had a problem cracking a tile in many many years of bodgery

[jmorgan]

The tape thing. ^^

Watch out for sliding bits. I have scratched the spot first with a sharp tipped tool the set my drill to a slow speed and let it find its own way through with little pressure, good bit in the frill as well rather than one that has seen life in the bricks.

[Denis O]

Don't use the hsmmer setting!!!

[MrV]

Normal ceramic tile then just a new masonry bit but not on hammer,start off slow and build speed up as your drill bit starts to cut in to the tile.You can use a bit of masking tape on the tile to help the bit grip at the start

Porcelain tiles are a whole different story ,your need a diamond tipped drip bit for those

[PositronicRay]

Mark the spot hammer and nail, just tap it to chip the glaze then drill away.

[Wings]

At first, with a masonry drill in the drill, press the drill up against tile and turn the chuck by hand until glaze has been removed from tile, once removed then turn electric on to drill, and with the hammer action off, slowly drill into the tile.

[p1esk]

Hmm, interesting.

Does a similar approach work for drilling holes in glass?

[jmorgan]

I just use a brick for glass.

[p1esk]

jmorgan said:

I just use a brick for glass.

Yeah, but I was hoping to make a hole that was smaller and tidier.

[Condi]

p1esk said:

Yeah, but I was hoping to make a hole that was smaller and tidier.

Use a smaller brick.

[roofer]

Condi said:

p1esk said:

Yeah, but I was hoping to make a hole that was smaller and tidier.

Use a smaller brick.

[AlmostUseful]

I used some really cheap spade bits when I did my shower enclosure, granted I only had a 10v Bosch drill/driver handy at the time but my masonry bits which were brand new were complete crap.

Spade bits just gripped and went in perfectly, think they were rolson branded or blackspur or some such equal rubbish, but they worked brilliantly.

[Jasandjules]

You can buy special drill bits for cutting ceramic tiles.

Like this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-expert-diamond-til...

I bought a little set and they work brilliantly.

[HRL]

Yep, I got one of those diamond tipped jobbies when I last had to drill through tiles.

I only used it to cut through the glaze then swapped to a regular bit. Not split tiles and a couple of holes right near where the tiles joined.

[james7]

p1esk said:

Hmm, interesting.

Does a similar approach work for drilling holes in glass?

You need a decent diamond drill, water to cool it and a little patience.
I much prefer a cordless drill on slow speed as its much more controllable than a mains one.
The back of the hole usually chips out when the drill exits the hole but if you start drilling from both sides and meet in the hole it wont break out as much.
If its a lying flat then you can make a puddle using plumbers mate to keep water in. If not a wet sponge will do instead.
Done quite a few like this and not had a problem.

[its hot]

PositronicRay said:

Mark the spot hammer and nail, just tap it to chip the glaze then drill away.

what !!!!!!!

[ILoveMondeo]

Jasandjules said:

You can buy special drill bits for cutting ceramic tiles.

Like this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-expert-diamond-til...

I bought a little set and they work brilliantly.

Another vote for these, they work great!

[Neil - YVM]

Jasandjules said:

You can buy special drill bits for cutting ceramic tiles.

Like this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-expert-diamond-til...

I bought a little set and they work brilliantly.

Finally someone makes a sensible post.

This! Use a drill designed for the Job, rather than bodging!
Though if the tiles are porcelain another drill but will be required, such as

http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-tile-dri...