I am hoping someone may have an answer for me:
We are remodeling our bathroom, and my wife chose some nice 12″x12″ porcelain tile for both the floor, and the walls. I have it installed, and now I’m trying to drill 1/4″ holes in the tile so I can hang the shower rod. So far, I have burned through a ceramic tile bit, 3 masonary bits, and a diamond-tipped bit, all with no luck.
Does anybody have any suggestions how I can get 1/4″ holes through porcelain tile on my shower walls? Your suggestions would be gratly appreciated.
Steve Fernandez
Replies
where you keeping the mesh cooled with water. ????
Diamond is the way to go. Go slow and dribble water on it.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I tried a diamond bit, but I'm not sure if the problem was a poor-quality bit, or if I screwed up(probably me!), but even the diamond bit wouldn't go through.
Should I have gone very slow, keeping it wet? Because I didn't, and I think it was me ruining the bit.
Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.
In general, when drilling through any hard substance (including hard steel), you want the bit to go slow. Spinning the bit just heats it up and ruins it.If the bit isn't "grabbing", slow down and apply more pressure.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Right, the harder the surface, th eslower the bit needs to turn
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The trick is to very lightly break the glaze of the tile where you want to drill. Just a slight nick in the glaze is generally all that's needed. A sharp center punch is usually the best tool.
Just pound so hard that you DON'T QUITE break the tile. ;)
(Actually, start out tentatively, checking after every couple of blows. Keep hitting harder, until your fingernail can detect a nick in the surface.)
Drill a pilot hole first with approx. a 1/16"- + bit . That's always worked for me in porcelain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFexyK8J1Iw
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Were you able to get the smaller bit through the porcelain? I haven't tried the small pilot hole yet (I will!), but the 1/4" diamond bit was ruined. I think I was spinning it too fast.
But did the small bit go through the porcelain okay?
1/4" is too big for a pilot hole. Use the smallest bit possible just to break it through the glaze. Go slow though and wet the bit as you go pushing firmly. Put a piece of masking tape on the tile first and make your mark on the tape. The tape will help the bit from slipping,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFexyK8J1Iw
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
hammer drill and run it as slow as you can go..
keep it cool with water....
the idea with using a HD is to "break" thru the porcelin glaze... yur more chiseling than drilling..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
move and resize the rack and put the holes in a grout line..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
First, do not "pound" anything against that tile, it will likely crack. Hammer drills on porcelain tile? No thank you.
As suggested, use a carbide-tipped tool such as a grout removal tool or the edge of one of the tile bits to score the center of the hole as suggested.
You can drill the hole with a carbide bit, but diamond bits are better and faster. For the small holes you're talking about, carbide is probably all that's necessary.
Keep the speeds slow and periodically dip the bit in a small container of water to avoid overheating. (If it's changing color on you, you're overheating it.) Rock the bit slightly in all directions to allow the edges to bite into the tile.
It's not uncommon for this to take a little while even for small holes, but the speed will be limited mainly by the quality of the bits. Even a slightly worn bit will be very inefficient and slow you down considerably. If its dull, toss it, don't force it.
BTW, holes in the grout lines are generally not advisable as they can easily crack along the lines over time. Water on the floorand walls also likes to travel along the grout lines and find those holes. I also consider them to be a cop-out. (no offense)
Drill the holes where you want them, just get the right bits for the job.
Edited 3/7/2007 11:37 am ET by Thaumaturge
"BTW, holes in the grout lines are generally not advisable...I also consider them to be a cop-out. (no offense)"
That made me chuckle, as I remember someone trying to drive a nail through a tight knot in wood. The nail kept bending, he kept pulling the bent nails, cussing, then trying yet another nail.
After watching a bit, I asked "why not predrill, or move your nail over a bit."
His reply? "Anyone can nail where the knots aren't."
Mongo
LOL, What can you say to a comeback like that?
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Problem was that he still had trouble nailing where the knots weren't.Are you ready for Spring? Looking nice outside today...
Spring is penciled in on the calender right after JLC Live...;)Raining like crazy here today, but at least finally warmer.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
JLC credentials arrived last week!I'm looking outside and I see the onset of Spring...but also the onset of a few yard projects. I think I'm gonna go close the blinds...<g>
Wife's badge came, but not mine yet
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Sun is just now breaking out. Temp is 52 and I have to make out bills for the customers. Cry for me.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
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Thank you for your advice.... I had tried the hammer drill before, and sure enough, broke the tile.
I tried carbide bits with no luck. I tried the diamond bit, and I think I was running it too fast, because I wore off the diamond tip in no time.
I won't be drilling into grout lines. I already have the locations marked off, and scraped off the glazing with a carbide tip. I guess I'll try a new diamond bit. Someone else had suggested a small (1/16") pilot hole; do you think that's a good idea?
If you get a set of glass/tile bits start with the smallest. DRILL AT VERY SLOW RPM - REPEAT - DRILL AT VERY SLOW RPM. Apply a lot of pressureHigh speed drilling will burn out most any bit.Once first hole is drilled move up to next size bit.Repeat as necessary.Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Right. One or two revolutions per second is about optimal.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Oh yeh...I forgot...the roto zip works too with a tile bit in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFexyK8J1Iw
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Sorry for the late reply... maybe you're already done?
Small pilot holes are always a good idea EXCEPT if the pilot hole diameter is more than 1/2 the size of the final hole. The reason is that the final bit will tend to wander and wobble a bit in the pilot hole if it's too big. 1/16" should be fine.
As many others have said, slow down. That's key. Without going into the physics involved, remember that the harder the material, the slower you need to go in order to let the drill bit bite into the surface. Keep it slow, cool, and apply constant pressure.
FYI, I recently drilled into some porcelain tiles. I probably averaged around 2-3 minutes a hole with new bits after initial scoring. I also put a large percentage of my 250 lbs behind the drill. That was using carbide. (Black & Decker cheapies in a 5 pack from Lowes)
Thanks very much for the advice. I appreciate it, and no, I haven't finished yet. Unfortunately, this is one of those projects that has drawn on WAYYYY too long, but it's time to finish up.
Your advice has been very comprehensive, and I'm going to try it this week.
Thanks again,
Steve Fernandez
Maybe I'm lucky, but I've always used a hammer drill and never broken a tile.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You may be drilling way too fast. Try a diamond bit turning very slow and keeping the area wet. A spray bottle works good filled with water.
just had the same problem... man, is porcelain *hard* compared to ceramic.
I started out using the break the glaze trick using very small dental-style diamond grit drills (Dremel #7105 or equivalent). Followed up with the carbide bit. Tried both the twist drill style and the glass drill (flame shaped point). On balance, I believe the latter was slightly superior. Needless to say, slow + water.
Then I really lucked in. Found a diamond hole saw listed in Lee Valley catalogue (http://www.leevalley.com). These resemble a hole saw for wood/metal but they are coated with diamond abrasive and they lack the centre drill bit. Sizes from 1/4 inch to 1" diameter. The 1/4' dia is part # 29J01.01
Worked well for me.
Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it.
Steve Fernandez