I’ve got some 3/4-inch thick polished granite that I need to drill some small holes in to mount some anchors to. (I’m mounting a chrome book holder onto a kitchen backsplash.) How do you start the holes for drilling into granite? Are masonry bits OK, or are there any special bits required. The holes are small – maybe 1/8-inch. I was think about using masking tape to keep the bit from wandering.
Thanks in advance.
Listeners write in about ventilation and radon control and ask questions about tightening basement garages, ventilation solutions, and safer paint stripper.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
You could glue on a piece of wood with a little dab or two of hot melt glue. Start your hole with a regular twist drill and then let the hole in the wood guide and stabilize whatever you're going to drill the granite with.
thats a good idea.
Grab the wife's diamond ring, (you can even leave it on her hand if she dont mind)and press it and twist where ya need a center divot..really , it works.
So, that would be a $10K scoring bit?? ;)Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Sounds like a good idea, but she wouldn't be my wife after I use her rock to make a divot.
Gluing a block of wood as a guide sounds safer.
Thanks all.
Sounds like a good idea, but she wouldn't be my wife after I use her rock to make a divot.Not if you buy her a new one.
Done that. rg
Usually a woman takes it off to do the dishes, so chances are it is there when she aint lookin ..smaller rock, chances are NO dishwasher, BIG rock, use her hand cuz it aint leavin the finger..it does work, just look at the glasses that had a diamond wiped inside.
MAybe use her diamond stud earring..just ask her if she wouldn't mind putting the side of her head on the counter and twist it a little.My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
>>MAybe use her diamond stud earring..just ask her if she wouldn't mind putting the side of her head on the counter and twist it a little.
Listen honey, I think there is something inside the wall. Why don't you put your ear over here and see if you can hear anything.
Done.
There are some "glass" drills that are not much more than arrowheads of carbide on a steel shaft with the carbide sharpened to a pinpoint. Ace Hardware sells them for 2 to 5 bucks apiece. I just used them on a marble shower enclosure to mount shower grab bars and the other Mscl junk. Beats the snot out of the std masonry bits that would dance all over your granite. Plus, when you drop them on the concrete you don't feel so bad. I haven't used mine up yet but they are probably good for a couple hundred holes before they go bad. I used mine to go thru the face of the tile & marble then switched to the masonry bit when the hole was established. I used them on the base of a tile covered, poured concrete shower pan to mount the glass enclosure.
So these glass drill bits don't require any kind of starter hole or divot? Sounds good to me.
Thanks.
I have used them on marble, good stuff. Very sharp point when new. I'll still take precaution so that it doesn't walk away from you when you start drilling.
Naw, It has a pinpoint. They are available in about 5 or 6 diameters under 3/8 inch. I seem to recall the Menards having some cheapo's like that as well. It just isn't a masonry bit. Not nearly rugged enough for a hammer drill.
It will seem silly to be concerned once you try one.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
Mike,
Haven't seen you here in a while???
I bought one of these sets (see below). For $25.00 from HF. Real handy for that type of work.
Jon
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36252
View Image
Yep it's been a while. Most of my typing lately has been to my #2 son in Australia. He's in Highschool as a Junior and he's currently in an AFS program. Besides that I've been knocking out cabinets for the Love Shack up north. Oh yea, and trying to make a buck selling to industrial OEM's. Not much time to peruse the wisdom here in the breakroom.
Those bargain sets are pretty neat. I've been buying nut drivers, torx, & the security key torx that way. I only need one size but the kit costs as much as a single size if bought individually. The latest is the 4 chisels and a hone stone at menards for 6 bucks. Tools like that keep me from getting pissed at the kids about shortening nails with the sharp end.
Nice to hear from you. Hope all's well in your world. How's business?Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
The glass drills should do fine in marble but I thought this thread was about drilling in Granite. I hope you realize granite and marble are totally different in the tools and techniques required to cut and drill.
I cut a lot of granite and when the job requires it I find myself drilling holes with diamond core bits in a water fed spindle.
The thing that baffles me is the fact that my glass installer drilled the mounting holes in my granite slab shower with a hammer drill and a carbide bit. I never go near my work with anything that would hammer it in the way a hammer drill/roto hammer would. He did just fine, he says granite trashes that bit after a few holes but otherwise it works fine. He is drilling 1/4 inch holes for expanding anchors FWIW.
Karl
My point is you don't need to treat the bit with kid gloves. no matter how abrasive the material the point pressure will yield you a few holes at minimum in carborundum I'd bet. It is a fryable tool. Use em and pitch em. All he's drilling is a towel holder.
I'm sure there is a better long term solution when you are installing toilet paper holders in a 50 stall granite bathroom. Yes the glass bits get hot as a poker. after 4 holes I dip them in water. A water cooled drill would be better.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?