new bath, no holes for taps

[maximon]

I have bought a Steel\Enamel bath:

http://www.kaldewei.com/en/produkte...e=eig&segment=am&form=77&format=&me=mm&type=2

The plumber we've been speaking to doesn't think drilling a tap hole into it would be wise. Does he speak the truth? We would've got the model with pre-drilled holes, but they weren't where we wanted them. It never occurred to me that this might be a problem.

The links in the other post don't seem to work any more, but I guess they just linked to holesaws...which would presumably be the way forward if we go for it.....?
______________________
Moderator

Split from hi-jacked post

moved to correct forum

 

[jgreer]

I just got back from bathstore.com yesterday and was looking at steel tubs. The salesman told me that you should get them pre-drilled if at all possible unless you wanted the taps mounted on the wall.

He said that plumbers aren't usually going to drill into a steel tub. I'd call a plumber and just ask, though.

Do you already have the taps for the tub? Have you considered wall mountable taps?

 

[ChrisR]

Piece of cake with a slow drill and decent quality holesaw. Make sure you seal the tap to the bath to keep the water away from the steel edge.

3600. That'll be me then. Bye everyone!

 

[Bahco]

You'll be back Chris

 

[Diyisfun]

Drilling enamel shouldn't be a problem, masking tape first, drill hole on the small size, then use a good half round file cutting on the downward stroke only open hole to take the tap. The enamel will chip but should be covered by washer/flange of tap.

 

[tim00]

Chris, i, for one, hope that you stick around, for a start you'r part of the DIY/Plumbing National Heritage and should soon be eligible for a grant and secondly you've given sound and considered advice in a (breath of fresh air) non-patronising manner, accepting all levels of knowledge and bewilderment. And remember that there are many silent viewers who only stand and watch and learn.
If you do go best of luck.

 

[doitall]

Yes Chris, hurry back from Norway, and leave the bl00dy Huskey's alone.

You never know I might still be here

Have a nice trip

john

 

[maximon]

Thanks for the replies - I had stopped checking after a week, hence the late follow-up, but in case anyone wants to know how I got on:

- I put down plenty on masking tape and penciled on where to drill
- Drilled through with an HSS bit (didn't seem to be making progress with the pilot drill that came with the holesaw, but it might be that I didn't try it for long enough), then used a grit-edged holesaw
- In a moment of improvisation, surrounded the area with blu-tac and poured in some oil (vegetable oil, in fact, as it was all I had!).

Took a while, but it worked.

 

[Paulb78]

hi maximon,

i've got to do the exact same thing on a steel enamel bath tub.
very glad to hear its possible. any one else got advice on how it should be done.. or shall i just stick to the above method?

many thanks.

Paul