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Drilling through Ceramic Tiles

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:29 am
by fixer
I'm looking to replace my old hammer drill that finally gave up the ghost this weekend. I am currently installing a bathroom and need a drill that can go through tiles without shattering them. I am a bit confused by the SDS plus drills (i.e. Ryobi ERH-750V 240V 3kg SDS Plus Hammer Drill from screw fix) as I have an SDS only drill and the hammer action is so strong it shatters tiles. As the bathroom is all tiled and grouted I don't want to even try using this.

Would something like a Ryobi ERH-750V 240V 3kg SDS Plus Hammer Drill be ok or should I look for something else??

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:57 am
by Simon Site Manager
Hi Fixer,

I don't use hammer drill on tiles, I use a spade bit to get thro' the tile (slightly larger than the hole I want to drill in the wall, then use a masonry bit on hammer to finish.

S

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:57 pm
by Nij
I always use a masonry bit. Never on hammer and on a medium speed with hardly any pressure.
I have nit cracked on yet - BUT make sure that the wall behind is a wall and not a plasterboard one like the mistake I made last week and had a hell of a time sorting out :)

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:37 am
by fixer
Thanks guys that's really useful