Drilling Holes In Ceramic Tiles

Jokester · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:19

Any tips before I go and wreck my shower?

megakid · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:20

Tape over the hole-to-be with two strips of masking tape in a cross formation. It will stop the drill bit from jumping/scratching/breaking the tile.

EDIT: Beaten!

alex24 · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:20

I'm no expert, but you could put masking tape over the area you want to drill through so it doesn't pull apart bit of the surface as you go thorugh. Maybe.

Django x2 · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:20

Yes, put tape (electrical or masking is best) on the tile to stop the drill bit skipping / slipping. Keep the drill bit wet if possible to reduce dust and aid cooling (it will last longer) and apply even pressure to the bit.

EDIT: Damn, beaten like a pedo in a playground!

Basher · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:20

Moses said:
Put masking tape down so the bit doesn't slip? I'm sure I saw that, when I was a kid, ha.

megakid said:
Tape over the hole-to-be with two strips of masking tape in a cross formation. It will stop the drill bit from jumping/scratching/breaking the tile.

EDIT: Beaten!

alex24 said:
I'm no expert, but you could put masking tape over the area you want to drill through so it doesn't pull apart bit of the surface as you go thorugh. Maybe.

I think masking tape is a good idea

haaammit · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:21

Yes - buy a proper tile bit - they'll minimise any damage and do a great job

Deleted member 77746 · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:21

Drilling Holes In Ceramic Tiles

ruffneck · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:22

I always use a bit of masking tape and drill a pilot hole first.

The Dread Pirate · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:22

pfft masking tape is useless get some duct tape!

Basher · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:22

iDroid84 said:
Drilling Holes In Ceramic Tiles

Competitor, I'm guessing

haaammit · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:23

These ones are the ones I used to use

No masking tape/duct tape needed

Deleted member 77746 · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:25

Basher said:
Competitor, I'm guessing

No try again, not your link. My link.

boxman2000 · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:25

As has been said, two strips of electrical tape in a X over the tile you want to drill into, then using a masonry drill tip you SLOWLY drill (obviously don't use a drill on hammer setting!)

Take your time and you'll be fine. If you can possibly drill into the grout (between tiles) then thats best but not always possible.

Participant · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:26

Make sure your drill isn't set to hammer

.

Basher · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:28

iDroid84 said:
No try again, not your link. My link.

Ahhh, even more annoying than a competitor.

Participant · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:31

Accidental rude word?

Deleted member 77746 · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:32

Basher said:
Ahhh, even more annoying than a competitor.

Robbie G said:
Accidental rude word?

No, not a rude word but L.M.G.T.F.Y.

Jokester · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:37

iDroid84 said:
No, not a rude word but L.M.G.T.F.Y.

Oh yeah, I'll go ask Spie to shut the forum down then. No point wasting resources on it.

JonnyT · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:39

http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/tprod1208/section48/Ceramic-Drill-Bit-5mm.html

Are the kind of thing you need. You need to use that to get through the tile and then you can use a masonry bit to go into the brick behind. Best to keep the drill in a low tmechanical gear to keep the temp of the tip of the bit down.

Participant · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:46

Jokester said:
Oh yeah, I'll go ask Spie to shut the forum down then. No point wasting resources on it.

He'd probably ask you for an idea as to how to replace the funds lost through sales from forum marketing

.

Screwfix do a good kit for not much money (£7.55), I used it recently when I replaced our shower mixer: http://www.screwfix.com/p/glass-drill-5-x-70-6-x-76-and-8-x-83-3pcs/53634. They look the same as what JonnyT posted but I can verify that those bits work fine on ceramic tiles. Porcelain - now that's a different matter!