how 2 drill hole in ceramic tile?

Posted by morenuf on March 14, 2006, 4:01 pm

I have ceramic tile on an indoor pool spa. I want to drill a one inch
hole in it to mount (relocate) a new air button control for spa jets.

What is the best way to attempt this without damaging or cracking the
tile? There is a layer of tile mounting board and then steel framing of
the pool mounting frame under the tile.

Do I use carbide tip bits? What best suggested bits/drill to use? All I
have available is a 1/4 drill.

Thanks for comments.

Morenuf
--
morenuf@nobodyhome.com.invalid

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on March 14, 2006, 4:25 pm

Diamond hole saw, although you will need more than a 1/4 bit to drive
it or endless patience...

Posted by Doug Miller on March 14, 2006, 8:05 pm

>I have ceramic tile on an indoor pool spa. I want to drill a one inch
>hole in it to mount (relocate) a new air button control for spa jets.
>What is the best way to attempt this without damaging or cracking the
>tile?

Get a drill bit specifically made for drilling glass and tile. Any home center
or hardware store should have that type of bit, although you may have to do
some searching before you find one that large.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Posted by Larry Caldwell on March 14, 2006, 11:24 pm

spambait@milmac.com (Doug Miller) says...

> Get a drill bit specifically made for drilling glass and tile. Any home center
> or hardware store should have that type of bit, although you may have to do
> some searching before you find one that large.

There are hole saws for glass and tile, or he could always just freehand
one with a die grinder and diamond bit.

--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc

Posted by thetiler on March 15, 2006, 12:44 am

A tile dealer will sell a bit that cuts holes in tile to
go around pipes for tub spouts and shower heads.
They are similar in structure to the 'hole saws' that
cut out a hole for a door knob.
I have a small one like you need for spouts and
a larger one for faucet valves.
These diamond (or cheaper carbide) drill bits
are expensive- about $50 as I remember, but
you could get a cheaper carbide tipped one for
your single purpose. These cheaper one's have
tiny carbide bits welded onto the cutting surface.

FORGET any kind of large carbide drill bit
(the type that are shaped like a typical drill bit)
as they won't make a clean hole and will risk
breaking/chipping the tile.

If your hole does not have to be clean- that is
there is a plate around that button that will hide
considerable error in cutting, you could buy
a glass bit for about $8 at a hardware store
and drill several holes in a circle, getting your
approx. 1" hole.

BTW you'll need a larger drill for the hole saws.

thetiler

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