I need to drill some holes in the porcelain tiles in my shower but my existing drill is well past it's prime so I need a new one. It won't get loads of use so could you recommend a half decent drill and some bits which would do the job?
Drill and porcelain tile bit recommendation
- Thread starter eidolon
- Start date
For some infrequent use I got a set of Tacklife drill bits from Amazon. Not sure about how long they'll keep cutting but what they have done exceeded my expectations.
I got a cheap adjustable suction mounted roller bearing guide also - well worth it.
I got a cheap adjustable suction mounted roller bearing guide also - well worth it.
I'd not completely cheap out on the drill, like Makita 18v gear myself.
As for the drill bit, any set of tile bits will do. You will burn them out so don't go daft, I usually pick up a cheap set from screwfix and they last me a while.
As for the drill bit, any set of tile bits will do. You will burn them out so don't go daft, I usually pick up a cheap set from screwfix and they last me a while.
To drill through the tile neatly put a bit of masking tape on the location of the holes, this also allows you to mark accurately where you want to drill as well as protecting the tile. Then slowly drill through the tile with a tile/glass bit, use the drills lower speed and do not use the hammer function.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/glass-drill-bit-set-4-pcs/1598v
Once your through the tile and into the wall, switch to a masonry bit and put the drill up to full speed and if possible drill it without using the hammer function. If you have to use hammer keep it as steady and as straight as possible to stop it damaging the tile by catching on the edges of the hole you have just drilled through it.
If you don't have the tile bits you can use a masonry bit instead. Starting the hole is harder as it will wander and move from where you are trying to drill the hole, the masking tape will help reduce this, but it's still a little tricky. The tiles bits are a worthwhile investment in my opinion.
What is your budget for a new drill?
Dave
https://www.screwfix.com/p/glass-drill-bit-set-4-pcs/1598v
Once your through the tile and into the wall, switch to a masonry bit and put the drill up to full speed and if possible drill it without using the hammer function. If you have to use hammer keep it as steady and as straight as possible to stop it damaging the tile by catching on the edges of the hole you have just drilled through it.
If you don't have the tile bits you can use a masonry bit instead. Starting the hole is harder as it will wander and move from where you are trying to drill the hole, the masking tape will help reduce this, but it's still a little tricky. The tiles bits are a worthwhile investment in my opinion.
What is your budget for a new drill?
Dave
B&Q have these on clear out at moment - Made by Black & Decker who also make DeWalt - https://www.diy.com/departments/sta...ill-2-batteries-fmc626d2k-bqgb/1682356_BQ.prd
If you want a 240v drill try B&Q or any other shed outlet -Screwfix/toolstation etc.
As regards drill bits those linked by Divuk83 are the best in my opinion - as said put some masking tape on --put drill bit on your mark the just tap back of drill first to make a punch hole with the bit and away you go
If you want a 240v drill try B&Q or any other shed outlet -Screwfix/toolstation etc.
As regards drill bits those linked by Divuk83 are the best in my opinion - as said put some masking tape on --put drill bit on your mark the just tap back of drill first to make a punch hole with the bit and away you go
Those drill bits seem cheap enough, I imagine that they’ll burn out when drilling porcelain anyway.
As for the drill, not sure really, maybe £100? Would that be enough for a half decent drill?
That looks good value. Might just get that unless somebody can find me a better one.
Soldato
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Don’t let the bit get too hot. I drill for a few seconds then dip the bit in water and repeat. Ceramics are really hard and the drill bit will get super hot if you don’t cool it.
Also if you drill too hard/fast, you can overheat the tile and have it crack. You don't want to drill close to the edge of a tile if you can help it because that also increases the risk of cracking. With a proper tile bit, you're really trying to grind through the tile at low speed more than drill though at speed as you would normally.
Use a bit of masking tape as described above, not just because it gives you a way to mark on the tile, but also because it stops the drill bit moving around or skipping when you start the hole off.
Use a bit of masking tape as described above, not just because it gives you a way to mark on the tile, but also because it stops the drill bit moving around or skipping when you start the hole off.
Yeah, the bits don't last forever, even the expensive ones. I have had mine quite a while and they are still sharp enough.
£100 is a good budget, I would go for a 18v cordless combi of some kind. Can you see yourself going for any other cordless power tools in the near future? Different brands have different cordless tools and not all brands make some of them. For example Dewalt don't make a cordless sander (yet!), where as Makita and Ryobi do.
In terms of which one to go for, there is loads of choice at that price point. Keep an eye on Screwfix's deals. There is usually a great deal a Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, HiKOKI combi drill with a case and 2 batteries for about £100. I don't think you can go far wrong with any of them. Having the 2 batteries is handy as you always have a spare that can be charging. Handy if you are doing a big job with a cordless drill as it means you don't have to stop. Unless you are doing some seriously heavy duty work the is little need for a corded drill these days.
Dave