Could someone recommend a hole saw that I could use to cut a clean hole in 12 x 12 marble tile? I need to make the cut outs for plumbing pipes in the tub surround. I tried the ones off the shelf at HD and Lowes and they are garbage, is there a particular brand i could purchase at a tile store?
Thanks mick
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Replies
You need diamond tooling. Google diamond drills. This is the company where I got mine.
http://www.constructioncomplete.com/
Chuck S
Thanks Chuck,
I checked out that site, The 1" felker ceramic/marble bit ($22.97) was listed under marble drill bits. Would this be ok? it doesn't say if it is a diamond drill or not. I figured it would be more costly if it was a diamond drill. Is this what you use? Would a decent tile store carry anything like this? I need it for tomorrow, short notice.
Mick
Mick,
I drilled these holes in PE5 Porcelain with a non-dimond but carbide bit (Less than $20.00) from lodepot. I built a dam out of plumber's putty and drilled at 3-400 rpm.
View Image
PE5 is very dense. Some marbles are soft, others like a woodpecker's beak.
Chuck S
live, work, build, ...better with wood
What were you doing with the blue painter's tape in the pic?
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."-Thoreau
The blue tape is the centerline. The cut is for a shower valve.
Chuck S
live, work, build, ...better with wood
Edited 7/25/2007 6:11 am ET by stevent1
roto-zip with a tile cutting bit
If you don't want to invest in the bit, you could probably find someone who can drill it for you at a place that sells/installs marble & granite.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks for replies guys. I ended up going to the local tool supply and bought a couple diamond drill bits. I got a 1" and a 2.5, had to buy the attachments and the carbon drill bits for starting the hole. $225 to cut 3 holes, man those things are expensive, but at least I have a good set for future use, and they zipped right through it with a little putty dam and water (thanks for tip Chuck).
Maverick, I can't tell you how many times I've tried the rorozip with the tile bit they sell and have never had any success whatsoever with it, and that's ceramic tile i'm talking about, forget about thick marble. What's your secret? :)