Drilling tiles

Tiling questions and answers in here please

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dubb
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Drilling tiles

Post by dubb »

Afternoon you lot, forgot I was registered on this great site and knew I had more questions for y'all!

As above, our bathroom is fully tiled and I'm looking to install a loo-roll holder and a shower curtain. Had a word with a few people that do DIY and they said diamond drill bits and such aren't really required, just some masking tape over the area and a low torque setting on your drill? Got the twin set of Ryobi's at home for the job, and the bigger one has torque settings.

Does that sound like a broken tile or not? :scratch:
DIY_Johnny
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by DIY_Johnny »

The tile drill bit is good but in my view unnecessary it’s a spade-like shape. Guess if you want piece of mind you could get one.

Tbh, I only every use a good masonry bit or those multi construction bits as they are a bit sharper angle and I have never had a problem. I used the masking tape but didn’t quite get on with it.

It’s essential to just tap a nail or screw (shaper point) into the tile to chip the glaze as bit will wander everywhere and scratch the tile. I did it on my first time :cussing:

Let the drill grind away on slow speed and low pressure and its no probs.

I have only ever tried it to ceramic floor and wall tiles, (never porcelain) Floor tiles are harder to drill but just take your time and don’t use too much pressure.

I never had a problem but only ever drilled about 10 holes even in hollow sounding tiles (maybe 10 practice holes as was worried it would crack the tiles)

PS: don’t remember to switch hammer action off!
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big-all
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by big-all »

3 layers off masking tape
masonry bit hammer action off until the wings are clear off the tile
we are all ------------------still learning
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ultimatehandyman
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by ultimatehandyman »

Or you can always do this-

fix to tiles without drilling
marc1106
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by marc1106 »

ok first off you need to know what the tiles are made of!?
1 you will NEVER drill porcelene tiles with anything other than a diamond bit!

2 secondly do NOT tap a nail or screw to the tile incase you hit a void behind the tile this could crack the tile!

3 if they are Ceramic tiles do as BA says use a masonary bit in your drill without the hammer action and on low speed stick 3-4 strips of masking tape to the tile and start drilling applying firm pressure to avoid "wandering" once the wings on the end of the bit are below the face of the tile you can increase your speed setting! :thumbleft:
IF IT WERE EASY ITD B BORING!
DIY_Johnny
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by DIY_Johnny »

marc1106 wrote: 2 secondly do NOT tap a nail or screw to the tile incase you hit a void behind the tile this could crack the tile!
thank you Mark / BA I stand corrected! :thumbright:
dubb
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by dubb »

Cheers for all the replies so far guys.
royaloakcarpentry
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by royaloakcarpentry »

I just mark the hole centre, put the trusty Armeg in the drill and do it. No slipping all over the shop, no masking tape, just a hole lol.

Screwfix do cheaper Titan bits for ceramic too.
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by tictic »

what type of tile you drilling...??
dubb
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by dubb »

ultimatehandyman wrote:Or you can always do this-

fix to tiles without drilling
Thread res, was looking into this method, which kinda of adhesive am I looking for? Silicone and waterproof?
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Re: Drilling tiles

Post by ultimatehandyman »

dubb wrote:
ultimatehandyman wrote:Or you can always do this-

fix to tiles without drilling
Thread res, was looking into this method, which kinda of adhesive am I looking for? Silicone and waterproof?

Any silicone sealant can be used.
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