Drilling through wall tiles

[steverhysjenks]

Hi,

I need to drill a 30mm hole through a tiled wall and I am not sure what the best way is to do it. I don't want to jump to stright in cos I don't want to the crack the tile and basically make a mess of things.

So I'm looking for some advice of how best to do it and if there any suggested tools that might be useful?

Thanks very much. It'll mean I can put the new shower up then.

Steve

 

[Mudster]

The closest you'll get to a guarantee not to crack is with a 30mm diamond core bit.

 

[gcol]

Depends whether you need a perfect finish or not. You could use a masonary bit to chain drill a series of holes then join the holes with a tile blade in a hacksaw. I'm assuming that if it's for a shower then there'll be some kind of fascia plate that'll cover a somewhat untidy hole? Other wise you're doing like Mudster says and using one of these Tungsten Carbide Grit Holesawshttp://www.toolstation.com/shop/Blades/Holesaws/d120/sd1530
Bear in mind that you'll need to order an arbour and a drill bit too.
Cheers,
Gcol

 

[Jasonb]

If the price of the ones in the link above is a bit high and it is for a one off then these ones work well for the money.
Expect about 10 holes in ceramic and only three in porcelain before they are blunt but it still works out at penies per hole. The sets at the bottom of page 2 are the best buy.

http://www.richontools.com/catalog/c36_p1.html

Jason

 

[Mudster]

And if you do buy from Richon say hello to Peter (which I'm absolutely sure is not his name, but I don't speak Chinese),

These things really do work and He now has a proper supply of small core bits, He sent me a 25mm bit to try which worked very nicely.

 

[routabout]

Core bits best. Work slowly, lubricate/cool. Have a look at eBay.