porcelain drilling

[mickyg]

what are people using these days to drill hard porcelain? Ideally need something I can pick up locally, screwfix, merchants etc...
Drilling small holes for rawlplugs, ideally something that will last a while, tried a bosch tile bit but wouldnt even go through the first hole

 

[footprints]

I picked one up from tile magic like a very small core drill, mind you you do need to keep clearing the core hole out with a bradawl or something.

 

[phatboy]

I blunted a 6mm tile bit in no time at all.

I know its not recommended, but I moved on to a 6mm masonry drill bit on hammer action, and just went easy on it.

All 4 holes were fine, but it is a little risky....

 

[amsie]

i've tried all the kits on the market, and the best i've found much to my supprise is the Plasplugs drillbit available from Tilegiant. The suction pads don't last long but I hold the guides steady and drill slowly.

Saw it at the tile and stone show years ago before they went bust

 

[amsie]

I blunted a 6mm tile bit in no time at all.

I know its not recommended, but I moved on to a 6mm masonry drill bit on hammer action, and just went easy on it.

All 4 holes were fine, but it is a little risky....

Seen that done lots of times, but also seen them break doing that.

 

[xr4x4]

I've used tile and glass drills, go slow and keep them cool by dipping them in water...takes time tho..helps if you 'wibble' it about.

And diamond tipped porcelain tile drils, again go slow and keep them cool.

There a video on YouTube by 'plumber parts' about drilling into porcelain tiles and what total nightmare it is, it's quite funny..I'll find it.

Edit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i1iyqIp9b8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[amsie]

I've used tile and glass drills, go slow and keep them cool by dipping them in water...takes time tho..helps if you 'wibble' it about.

And diamond tipped porcelain tile drils, again go slow and keep them cool.

There a video on YouTube by 'plumber parts' about drilling into porcelain tiles and what total nightmare it is, it's quite funny..I'll find it.

As funny as a plumber walking in and moaning his head off because he didnt know Porcelain was going on the wall???

 

[xr4x4]

I've used tile and glass drills, go slow and keep them cool by dipping them in water...takes time tho..helps if you 'wibble' it about.

And diamond tipped porcelain tile drils, again go slow and keep them cool.

There a video on YouTube by 'plumber parts' about drilling into porcelain tiles and what total nightmare it is, it's quite funny..I'll find it.

As funny as a plumber walking in and moaning his head off because he didnt know Porcelain was going on the wall???

Lol..well,,I always cringe when my boss tells me the tiles are gonna be porcelain.

 

[mickyg]

Thanks for your replies, I had to have a go at this on Friday, Bathroom 1 of 3
I had some of those cheapie screwfix ones and also a brand new bosch one as the guy in the video had and tbh the bosch one hardly even marked the tiles but the cheapie ones did the job with alot of perseverance and I used a spray bottle to keep it cool and clean away debris. Suffice to say we are 12 holes in and 2 bits down but we are getting there(aprx 15min per hole). The client has already agreed to finance some decent tile drilling kit though(I think he feels a bit guilty as had no idea about the tiles and no warning for me) so I might just get something towards the end of the job to finish and say what a great help it was

 

[mickyg]

i managed to hold the drill in one hand and spray bottle in the other to save keep stopping and keep stable temp on the bit. Will have another crack this weekend while all the other trades are out the way. 4 toilets, 2 basins and a shower rail to go wish me luck!

 

[xr4x4]

I find the floor easier as you can create a puddle of water around the hole and get some good force behind the drill.