Drilling Into Tiles

[Dingledeano]

I am planning on fitting a toilet roll holder into a tiled wall in the bathroom and am keen to avoid cracking the tile! Anyone got any good advice on how best to avoid this?

Thanks
Dingledeano

 

[gcol]

Try not to drill too close to the edge of the tiles.
Use a decent masonry bit.
Don't use hammer action on the drill until you're right through the tile.
When you put the wall plug into the hole, knock it in with a screw and hammer so that it's a little sunk into the hole.

 

[johnny_t]

I put masking tape on the tile as well, to stop the bit skidding about when you start the hole.

 

[Glassman]

I bought myself a set of 3 special tile drill-bits from B&Q for about a fiver.
Each one looks like a Spear-head and they're good for drilling a hole exactly where you want it to go.
A tiler friend of mine once advised me to get a long sharp nail and hammer and gently tap the nail to the point where you want to drill. This will remove the shiny enamel from the tile so the drill bit doesn't slip.
It works too

 

[joe-90]

Get a set of Irwin 'cordless' drill bits. They go through just about anything without any effort whatsover. Simply drill through the tile and carry on through the brick. Plug and screw. Job done.


joe

 

[Gary59]

Masking Tape across the areas where you are going to drill, align toilet roll holder, check level with a spirit level, mark corresponding holes on tape, hit a nail gently into the marks this will create a pinhead hole, using the pin head holes as your guide, use a decent masonery bit to drill. Insert and sink rawl plugs into tile, peel off tape, wipe tiles with a damp cloth and scew on toilet roll holder, finally...........sweep up with dustpan and brush.........

Old Skool

 

[clemenzina]

This topic is exactly what I was looking for and very helpful, but...

I have a box of Lidl drill bits (the Black & Decker drill, £15 Argos, didn't come with any) - how can I tell which are masonry bits?

clemenzina

 

[gcol]

Look for the shiny ones with the business ends that are slighty wider than the diameter of the rest of the drill bit.

 

[Zampa]

When you put the wall plug into the hole, knock it in with a screw and hammer so that it's a little sunk into the hole.

Handy tip...last time I drilled into a tile I accidently left the hammer action on ...which cracked the tile ....then 'tapped' the rawl plug in with a hammer, and smashed the poxy tile to smithereens!

 

[Moz]

the masking tape an drill through is the answer .....

Gary59
btw dont you use the top builders tip for drilling in furnished properties , an stopping the red dust nightmare ?
Top Tip
In drill box have masking tape an cheap packet of long manilla envelopes
stick envelope open under drill area , drill then tear off bag of red collected dust , especially good when customer/home owner has cream/white carpet !......saves on washing out dust sheets as well ...
Real Old Skool

Zampa=Frank Spenser !!

 

[scatmanjohn]

Armeg tile drill bits are what you need.

Pricey but go through tiles like a hot knife through butter. (any tiles)

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101250&ts=73419&id=51321#

 

[Moz]

scatmanjohn
I could recommend "Proper Tiler D Bits"
costing ..X

we could give tips but we try to keep them cheap ,

 

[seaangler]

Armeg tile drill bits are what you need.

Pricey but go through tiles like a hot knife through butter. (any tiles)

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101250&ts=73419&id=51321#

for less than half the cost you could get a set of irwin cordless bits (previously mentioned) - which will do the job just aswell without any hassle (including procelain )