Drilling holes in tiles, without cracking ?

mrbungle

All,

I'm just about to move into my new place and need to know how to drill holes into tiling so I can mount fittings like towel racks, mirrors and that little bracket jobby for the jacks-roll.

I have heard something along the lines of using masking tape and a special drill bit. Also, would an electric or battery drill be better, I'm coming from the rpm side here.

All help welcome.

Thanks.

mike65

Yeah i belive taping over the drilling area helps as does a slow drilling speed. It might be a good idea to start with a very small guide hole...?

Mike.

Alun

Easiest way is just to buy a proper tile drilling bit, they work like a dream and make a nice clean hole. You can get them anywhere ... even Woodies

delly

I've used sellotape before, with two strips down in a criss-cross fashion. Worked no problem, but i took it very slowly at first in terms of RPM, mainly cause if i had of cracked one, i would have been in trouble with my better half.

pipers

Use a regular 6mm masonry bit.

First: Drill with hammer action off until through tile (you will know by the colour of the dust)

Second: Then turn hammer action on (to drill through block work behind tile, if applicable)

Thats it

mrbungle

Sounds good so far, all ties in with some tips I just got from B&Q.ie.
Masking tape seems like a good alternative.

Thanks so far !!

the_syco

mrbungle wrote:

All,

I'm just about to move into my new place and need to know how to drill holes into tiling so I can mount fittings like towel racks, mirrors and that little bracket jobby for the jacks-roll.

I have heard something along the lines of using masking tape and a special drill bit. Also, would an electric or battery drill be better, I'm coming from the rpm side here.

All help welcome.

Thanks.

My dad has done this numourous times, and this is what he said;

Put some masking tape over the hole postition (to stop the drill bit from slipping) and use a new masonary drill bit to the required size. Use electric, or battery operated drill. Don't put too much pressure on drill, as too much force could crack the tile.

yop

Use maskin tape and then a drill runnin at very low revs.
I use a steel nail and tape once the place you want to drill, very gently though, then place the drill bit in the hole.

Lex Luthor

pipers wrote:

Use a regular 6mm masonry bit.

First: Drill with hammer action off until through tile (you will know by the colour of the dust)

Second: Then turn hammer action on (to drill through block work behind tile, if applicable)

Thats it

Agree here...never split a tile using this method....tried once using a 5mm bit and then finishing with the 6mm, but it makes the job harder.

Stoner

I agree with pipers, i never cracked a tile yet, and that coupled with some tape does it for me

slave1

I use a countersink bit, they are as sharp as bejasus and never slip on me. All you have to do is start off slow and once you have the initial hole your away with it.
When the hole is bit enough I then switch to a good quality masonry bit.
I 've been doing this for years with the same countersink bit, no probs

jay567

As an extra point, mark where u are going to drip and tap it using a hilti nail. This will break the outer glazing that will be on most tiles. Then drill away on a low speed.

Stoner

I'd stay a mile away from hitting the tile
the 6mm of 5.5mm mas bit with the hammer off untill your through the tile is the best way, IMHO

jay567

Strange u say that, ive worked with multiple tilers and they all do this. I suppose what ever works for u stick to it

tapest

Pipers is correct.
Masonary drill bit, low rpm, Hammer off till through tile, insulating tape to stop tile slipping. After hole fully drilled, increase hole size in tile only, again masonary bit and hammer off, if plugging wall. Then when you tighten screw there is no pressure on tile as top of wall plug is flush with wall and not tile.
t

clarkee

mark the hole using a masonry nail and hammer, few light taps to chip the ceramic.
Drill 5.5mm(for red rawl plugs) hole using masonry drill bit, off hammer until top layer is broken through and on hammer after that.


I'm a sparks myself and this is a well proven method.

dok_golf

very gently tap with a sharp steel nail on the desired spot. This should leave a tiny indentation to which the drill bit adheres. Sounds crazy, but it works

qazxsw

if you don't have any tape handy you can do worse than place the bit exactly where you want it on the tile, put a decent amount of pressure on the drill and give the chuck a few turns by hand till you get the bit to break the glaze, then you should be O.K.