Can't drill through bathroom tiles

[erik]

There was a recent thread on here about how to drill through tiles which I consulted before embarking on the job in my bathroom (http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/How-it-Works/Question1784 21.html).

I followed the advice there but with no luck. I used a tile bit at first to drill but it was very hard going and I wasn't able to go all the way through the tile. It almost got there with a lot of pressure but it got to a point where it just wouldn't go any further. So I then tried with a masonry bit instead, this managed to shave off a little bit more of the sides of the hole but still didn't manage to go all the way through the tile. The drill doesn't have hammer action so I never used this.

As the other thread stated that tiles are very soft once you get through the glazing I was quite surprised. Could this be some other type of rock hard tile that we've got? They are fairly large and with a matt finish. Should I get a drill with hammer action and try that?

Any help appreciated.

[casaespana]

As you have followed the advice given in the thread the only solution i can come up with is that your drill bits must be blunt and that you should invest in some good quality new ones.

[ronnor]

if the tiles are a reddy/brown colour they may be a quarry type of tile,i,ve encountered these tiles before in a bathroom and are a pain to drill through,i burnt 3 bits out on them just for a few holes grrrrrrr i wouldnt advise hammer,just very new and sharp masonary bits with a "lot" of elbow grease.good luck.

[qapmoc]

These sound like the hard ceramic tiles which are often used in industrial floor areas, The only way to get through is use a new good quality drill bit, set the slowest speed on your drill, use no hammer, and keep a small water flow running on the drill end and around the hole to cool/lub the drill bit.
If you stiill can't get through then you will have to use a hammer drill but before doing so try banging on the tiles with something hard and listen to the sound, if they give a hard sound and not a dull thud, they are probably well fixed and will not break if using hammer, use the hammer drill with a low pressure and with water again.
Start with the smallest masonry drill you can find/buy and make a small hole first using hammer action and then go to the actual size you want to make and open it up using no hammer if possible.

If you still can't get through then the final answer is to find a diamond tipped drill as used on glass, not easy to find and not cheap and not easy to use either. see this site for some info.

[buildersmate]

All advice above I would agree with. I've had success by managing to drill a smaller hole first using above techniques then enlarging it. It seems easier to break pieces off the side of a smaller hole with the drill rather than using brute downwards. I haven't found the flat glass cutting hole drills any help. These tiles you are trying to drill are probably porcelain

[erik]

casaespana, both drill bits were brand new so I don't think they're blunt. Got the tile one from B&Q for �8 so I think it's decent quality. It is a 10" though, maybe that's why I'm having problems as people here are saying it's better to start small.

ronnor, the tiles aren't red, there's a light grey chalky dust coming out of them.

qapmoc & buildersmate, thanks, sounds like sensible advice. I noticed too that it wasn't too hard to shave off the sides of the (cone-shaped due to the tile bit) hole with the masonry bit but when it had to go straight ahead it had problems. Sounds like I have to go invest in a whole set of bits then...

[STEVEC-J]

Believe it or not, I always use a SDS drill with the hammer function turned off and a normal SDS drill bit of appropriate size for the job. Just make sure you go slow with a little pressure and keep dipping the bit in a cup of cold water to keep it cool and less risk of cracking the tile. It goes through most tiles in a minute or so.

[zalpha]

hi , sorry but I have just seen this thread and thought i'd give you a usefule tip. For hard materials such as porcelain etc, u must use a diamond core drill bit like the one in the screwfix link below

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?id=100211&gtse=gtuk&gtkw=diamond+core+drill+bit

U can not hammer drill a tile as 9 times out of 10, u will crack the tile. These drill bits, are excelent and will cut through your tiles with ease (U must keep cooling the bit with water). a 10 mm thick tile will take less than 40 secs

its

[zalpha]

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?id=100211&gtse=gtuk&gtkw=diamond+core+drill+bit

The only answer is to use the right drill bit. The above link is to a diamond core drill bit that is specifically designed to the job.