Cutting a large hole in a ceramic tile.

[chainsaw_masochist]

I need to cut a hole of 85mm diameter in ceramic tile (150mm square). What is the recommendation with regard to holecutters for ceramic? Diamond core? Would I be able to obtain an 85mm preferably with a pilot drill or would it be worth hiring such a tool? Alternatively could a certain type of jigsaw blade be obtained?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You can either mark out your hole size and drill, using a small tile drill, small holes all the way round the diameter of the hole and then insert your tile saw and cut between each hole.
Or use a hole saw
Something like this should do you
Circle Tile Cutter

user guide

 

[jctilingservices]

plenty options available here, correct size diamond tipped core bit, do as PBOD suggests but instead of using a tile saw use a tile file
or if you are as good as me, mark your hole both sides of the tile, then using a grinder come through from the back of the tile making sure you dont go to close to your mark, finish with parrot nibblers and tile file, thats the way i do it if i dont have the correct size drill bit, but to do iot thjis way you gotta either be good or just plain silly

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Thanks for the replies, chaps. I should have made it clear that the hole will not be contained entirely within the tile – a part of it is off the edge, if that makes sense. So this would rule out using the circle cutter in PBOD’s link, though I actually do have one of these.

I will have a go at the multiple drill holes round a prescribed circumference. Giving the then drilled tile a touch with the grinder appears well worth ago – thanks, JCT.

That aside, the 85mm diamond core seems an elusive size.

 

[jctilingservices]

Thanks for the replies, chaps. I should have made it clear that the hole will not be contained entirely within the tile – a part of it is off the edge, if that makes sense. So this would rule out using the circle cutter in PBOD’s link, though I actually do have one of these.

I will have a go at the multiple drill holes round a prescribed circumference. Giving the then drilled tile a touch with the grinder appears well worth ago – thanks, JCT.

That aside, the 85mm diamond core seems an elusive size.

Am i right in thinking that the hole is not entirely in the tile ?

If so, mark where part of your hole will be on the tile, just scribe around the line with a cheap little hand held cutter, use a grinder with diamond tipped blade and cutting from edge of tile work towards the circular mark, keep making these cuts every 5-6 mm, you should then be able to snap the long thin strips off the tile leaving you at the scribed line, tidy up with a tile file or the grinder working from nack of tile towards front

Hope you can understand what i am trying to say

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

That aside, the 85mm diamond core seems an elusive size.

You can get them if you search
http://www.u-tile.com/page9.htm#
scroll down the page to heading
'Diamond Tipped Drill Bits - Even Bigger Sizes'
there is a drop down list of sizes on
options-please select
not cheap!

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

JCT: Yes, the hole is partly “off of the tile” if you see what I mean. I think I will give your method a bash. Do you think the diamond tile cutting disc (second one down) will suffice?

PBOD: That is a very interesting link. Reckon I will use that sometime in the future.

Thanks again, guys.

 

[Jasonb]

84 or 86mm here for not a lot, usually takes 10-14 days

http://richontools.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_6&sort=20a&page=2

I've used them quite a lot, far cheaper than what the coated saws sell for here.

Use the saw to cut a hole in a bit of scrap 6mm MDF or Ply, then hold that over the tile even with part off the edge and it wil give a good cut.

J

 

[Richard C]

Have a look at this guys;
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=260432&highlight=

 

[jctilingservices]

Thats just davie showing off, too much time on his hands

Rich, make sure they are old or spare tiles you practice on mate, it does take a while to get the knack, dont think i have actually done one with a hammer since around 1983 after serving my apprenticeship, just dont whack it to hard or it will shatter

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Thanks for all of the links, guys. I am having a bit of trouble trying to drill a pilot hole through a ceramic tile (about 8 mm thick). Got through about ½ way and then the hole tile broke. Would it be better to use SDS drill bits for drilling the pilot hole?

 

[jctilingservices]

Thanks for all of the links, guys. I am having a bit of trouble trying to drill a pilot hole through a ceramic tile (about 8 mm thick). Got through about ½ way and then the hole tile broke. Would it be better to use SDS drill bits for drilling the pilot hole?

if you just want a pilot hole, use a thin masonary bit in an ordinary drill, not hammer or sds, even a cordless will suffice mate, let the drill do the work, dont press to hard on it

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Yep a JCTS says, a decent small masonry bit to pilot, about 3mm, no hammer action, the bounce will break the tile again.
Just take it steady.