Diamond tile drill bit

[Millwright]

Hi, I've got an Erbauer diamond tile drill bit which I bought recently. I've done porcelain 7 tiles with it and I'm trying to do number 8, but it looks as if the diamond has worn off the the drilling face of the bit. Now there is about 10mm of the shank which has diamond along it, so I did wonder if the diamond basically wears down to that, but perhaps not?

Am thinking of taking it back, but before I do I just wondered what more experienced tile drillers can advise.

Thanks.

 

[Wayners]

I've used mine about 4 times so far and sprayed water while cutting. Looks good still last time I used.

Reviews for that bit say cutting reduces after 6 holes

 

[cdbe]

I've got the same one, and the same issue after about 10 holes!
The diamonds have gone from the face but are still on the sides, looks like a bit of a con to make the cutting surface look deeper than it actually is.

 

[foxhole]

No bit lasts forever. Cheap ones have a very short life.

 

[cdbe]

No bit lasts forever. Cheap ones have a very short life.

I don't think at £10 it was particularly cheap, having said that, porcelain tiles are seriously hard - they're new to me and I went through a fair few of my normal masonry bits before I realised you need a different approach.

 

[foxhole]

I don't think at £10 it was particularly cheap, having said that, porcelain tiles are seriously hard - they're new to me and I went through a fair few of my normal masonry bits before I realised you need a different approach.

A decent tile bit is about £30 for 6mm.

 

[Millwright]

At least it's not me then!

Well, it isn't really cheap, was £18 for the 7mm bit and it's a bit more than that for a Marcrist. Well I have only got three more to do, so say after spending £800 or so on my porcelain tiles, I'll just factor the cost of a drill bit in for every bathroom I ever do in my house I suppose.

 

[Eccles]

I used a "carbide" (not diamond) point bit made by Bosch at slow speed. Lasted quite a long time.

 

[martygturner]

Wet and slow is best

 

[cdbe]

Well, before I read how much I should be paying for a diamond bit, I bought this on eBay for £5:

It managed (with water cooling) precisely one hole before it was gone.

I managed the other two holes with some crappy masonry bits - starting with a tiny 3mm on hammer. I've found that holding a wet wetwipe round the bit (it soon gets snatched by the bit and stays on) is an effective way of providing cooling. The kit supplied with another drill I've picked up but yet to try is crap, just dribbles water down the wall.

 

[Millwright]

I used a "carbide" (not diamond) point bit made by Bosch at slow speed. Lasted quite a long time.

Carbide won't go through porcelain.

 

[opps]

Well, before I read how much I should be paying for a diamond bit, I bought this on eBay for £5:

View attachment 301934

It managed (with water cooling) precisely one hole before it was gone.

I managed the other two holes with some crappy masonry bits - starting with a tiny 3mm on hammer. I've found that holding a wet wetwipe round the bit (it soon gets snatched by the bit and stays on) is an effective way of providing cooling. The kit supplied with another drill I've picked up but yet to try is crap, just dribbles water down the wall.

View attachment 301939

I have used the Makita one. The water is supposed to dribble down the wall from the reservoir above. That is the whole point of the reservoir (to keep the drill bit wet). To be fair, the holes make it easier to align the bit.

Overall, I was not impressed with it or the quality of the bit.

I only drill tiles a couple of tiles a year (normally 6mm). I am considering buying the arrow head Macrist ones.

CD850 AkkuMAX Porcelain Drill - Drill Bits Products

CD850 AkkuMAX Porcelain Drill - Drill Bits Products

www.marcrist.co.uk