Which drills for porcelain tiles ?

[shiftspark]

Hi forum !
I have just had my bathroom tiled in porcelain tiles and need advice on which drills to use for fitting the shower screen , toilet and basin etc I am not sure which size yet but would assume around 6-7mm
I have seen the erbauer ones on screwfix but they look tricky to start the hole with out wandering, would I be better with the arrow type if so which can you recommend?
Thanks in advance !
Colin

 

[Qwerty]

Have a browse on our forum sponsor website- @Pro Tiler Tools . They will have what you need.

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[shiftspark]

Thanks! I will have a look.

 

[Dumbo]

Don't drill a 7mm hole for a 7mm plug unless you push the plug through the tile . Because if you leave the plug in the tile when you put the screw in it can expand and crack the tile

 

[Tommcd]

The erbauer ones aren't that tricky, you just have to start at an angle and slowly straighten up. Try to hold the barrel of the drill with your left hand and lean you're left forearm on the wall so the drill doesn't slip. I usually have a little tub of water nearby and cool the drill bit down every 20 seconds or so. Needs to be high speed so don't bother with a cordless drill!

 

[Andy Allen]

ATS... Are excellent value for money.

 

[Old Mod]

Get a small piece of sheet material like 4-6mm mdf or ply, bore a hole with your chosen bit in to that.
Place the hole where it needs to be over the tile and it will hold it rock steady.
If you can get a second person to hold the board, then you can concentrate on using the drill, and if you’re feeling amphibious, hold a damp sponge against the drill bit to keep the bit and tile cold.
It will give a faster cleaner cut with no risk of the porcelain overheating and reducing the risks of cracks and chips.

 

[WetSaw]

...and never use a hammer drill!

 

[Dumbo]

...and never use a hammer drill!

Speaking to a plumbers merchant the other day who had a plumber take back a diamond core drill saying it was crap and he explained how he used it with the hammer on .

 

[WetSaw]

On the subject of drilling...
I arrived at a job I'm doing to find the owner helpfully drilling ( well, trying to drill ) holes in the tiles to fit a towel rail. He was using one of those arrow type bits on porcelain tiles. Not only had he only just got through the glaze, he was drilling in the wrong place! A few minutes with a Rubi wax filled bit on the angle grinder and all 4 holes were done, in the correct position. Luckily the fitting covered his mistake!

 

[Italy]

plumbers, blacksmiths, furniture assembly, are a plague
for our work performed.
at least here in Italy ....
few know how to use a diamond bits and many do not know that they exist.

 

[shiftspark]

Thanks for the info gents,
@jcrtiling would you use 7mm for 6mm plugs then?

 

[Dumbo]

I tend to use 7 mm plugs but the brand I always use is Fischer . but plug size depends on screw size

 

[White Room]

Drilling holes for clients could be a side line for tilers.

 

[shiftspark]

Just a quick update, I used a 6mm Marcrist bit ,started it at a 45' and slowly stood it up.
Thanks for the advice.