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I’m having problems putting two 1″ dia. holes in what are very hard and brittle ceramic tiles. I keep breaking the tiles when trying to drill multiple holes in order to end up with one 1″ hole. I only need to make two holes so spending $85+ for a diamond hole saw doesn’t seem practical. Does anyone have any hidden secrets as to how to do this?
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Buck,
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*Joseph, don't you ever work??? Thanks for the tip. As it turns out I just got back from HD where I bought a 1 1/4" carbide hole saw. Are there any special techniques that I should use......wet, dry, etc.? Should I drill from only one side or part way through from one side and finish the hole from the other? Does taping around the hole help?
*Buck,Take a piece of plywood somewhat bigger than the tile and place it in a container that will hold water(cut-off bucket,small tub,etc.),place tile on the plywood after scoring or scratching a starter spot for the drill guide bit.Now add enough water to just cover the tile surface(finish side up).This part is very important:USE A CORDLESS DRILL ONLY.Drill hole in tile using consistent pressure while holding tile securely to keep it from spinning;try to keep the bit straight.Drill all the way through.You may break one or two until you get the hang of it.Good luckJ.W.
*Roto-Zip makes a ceramic tile bit that works great. Don't own a roto-zip? Use it in a drill. Just cuts slower. Probably find it under $10.
*I use a $3 carbide impregnated blade in my sabre saw. cut a pilot hole with a 1/4' masonry bit. Also makes quick work for radius cuts, and other odd-shaped tile profiles. HD and Lowes etc.... have them in the tile section. I do go through one blade per tub surround, but they are only $3....
*I used a dremel motor tool. (similar to roto zip, but more of a hobbyist tool). Got a special carbide bit for it for
*James, thanks! Your idea worked but damn it was slow. It took about 25 minutes per successful hole. I broke three tiles in the process. I set the whole thing up using my drill press so that I didn't have to worry about staying perpendicular to the tile.
*Buck,I'm glad you got the holes drilled-I'm surprised it took so long to bore each hole.Maybe that's because I use the $50-60 bits made for this and with all the practice I've had,I can make holes like crazy.Hard to justify the cost of the bits for occasional duty,but I use mine all the time. I have even drilled arcs out of the edges of tiles using this method.The drill press was a good idea,however I'm always leery about power and water being close to each other,that's why the tip to use a cordless.Glad it worked for you.J.W.
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I'm having problems putting two 1" dia. holes in what are very hard and brittle ceramic tiles. I keep breaking the tiles when trying to drill multiple holes in order to end up with one 1" hole. I only need to make two holes so spending $85+ for a diamond hole saw doesn't seem practical. Does anyone have any hidden secrets as to how to do this?