Drilling Ceramic Tiles?

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

I need to drill holes of a size 25mm in diameter into my ceramic tiles which are on my shower room walls. How will i do this and what drill bit do i need and how much will it cost. Any and all help will be very much apprecieated

grumbler

Well-sharpened Masonry Drill Bit will do this. Do not use hummer-drill!
You can also use Core Drill Bit, but I think you will need some guide to hold a center.

P.S. Use the lowest speed if you have a choice.

calleyw

I am sure when hubby did that it as well as using a masonary bit. He made a cross of masking tape. The centre being where the hole was to be drilled.

Suppose to stop the tile from cracking.

Yours

Calley

Plasticman

A masonary bit should be fine. Masking tape as Calley suggests will stop the drill bit from slipping.

Some info here:

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/cutting_ceramic_tiles.htm

plumb1_2

Start off with a small drill bit first,then work up to 25mm
6mm,10mm,16mm,25mm. less chance of tile cracking.
Keep away from a core bit unless you are good at DIY,as they tend to slip.

knight-on-the-town

25mm is a big hole ... for a waste pipe perhaps?

Drill bits that big cost alot.

Try this... first drill pilot hole using a masonary bit. Then use a hole saw attatchment (the cutting edge looks like a circular saw blade) from the back of the tile (I am assumming that it is a soft ceramic tile rather than a hard one like a floor tile).

Cut 95% of the way thru to the back of the glaze and tap the piece out from the front or provided you dont mind blunting the blade drill all the way through.

As advised b4 use slow speed especially on last bit to stop the glaze chipping