Drill bullet hard bathroom wall tiles in 2017

Calahonda52

In 1999/2000 I tiled our bathroom with tiles that were bullet hard, it took 3 of the little triangular bits to make the first hole and then it was a question of slowly enlarging the hole. It took forever

I now need to drill them again, wondering are there any relatively cheap diamonds tipped tile drill bits around in 2017.
In 2000 Hilti had them at €130 each..., cheaper to move house:).
Max size is 12mm for a cable and 2 by 6mm for a few screws.
Thanks as always

The Red Ace

look in ebay for multifunction drill bit, brilliant if used at a lower speed as in cordless drill, 12m bit for a couple of quid

exaisle

Get a steel nail and gentle tap the spot where you want to drill, removing the glazed layer, which is the hardest....then work away with a drill....

Calahonda52

Thanks guys, these tiles are hard through and through, I wrecked cobalt bits last time

This is what I had before
http://www.woodies.ie/piranha-5mm-drill-bit-tile-glass-353013?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CNLay4LAwNMCFUq37QodvvIALg

3 bits a hole...

Sleeper12

Calahonda52 wrote:

Thanks guys, these tiles are hard through and through, I wrecked cobalt bits last time

Fitting showers all day long means I have to drill into all sorts of tiles. For porcelain or very hard tiles I use the triangular tile bit to get the whole started or maybe the first quarter of the hole. Then I swap to bosh multi purpose bits. If it's a cordless drill or screw gun you can even use the hammer action. Always keep your bits wet to cool them and don't push too hard.
Although I might only drill 4 holes if they are porcelain it might delay me by 30 minutes. I might use 1 triangle bit every 2 holes.
I've tried diamond tipped but found if you try to rush it they break just as easy and they aren't cheap.

Calahonda52

Thanks S12, where can I source these bits tomorrow in a bricks and mortar gaff?

Sleeper12

Calahonda52 wrote:

Thanks S12, where can I source these bits tomorrow in a bricks and mortar gaff?

Sorry I forgot to say. Woodies believe it or not. 6mm Bosch bit is around 7 Euro and the triangular file bit is around 11 each for 6mm.

jeepcj

I've always had good luck using masonry bits to drill tiles, but found if the hammer action is turned on it can crack the tiles

sbsquarepants

Same - use a good masonary bit without hammer action.
I picked up a really cheap diamond coated core bit set in lidl or aldi for a few quid a while back and that goes through them like a hot knife through butter! I doubt it will last very long, but it was only 6 or 7 quid if I remember correctly and I only needed it to drill 3 or 4 holes, which it done no problem.

ThisRegard

Sleeper12 wrote: »

If it's a cordless drill or screw gun you can even use the hammer action.

Really, even if the tiles are on plasterboard? I've been avoiding drilling in tiles as I envisage cracking the **** out of a load of them and have them fall off.

cletus

If you have porcelain tiles, they are a bastid to drill through. As above, you'll go through a number of bits. Just have to persevere

Sleeper12

ThisRegard wrote:

Really, even if the tiles are on plasterboard? I've been avoiding drilling in tiles as I envisage cracking the **** out of a load of them and have them fall off.

I'm not suggesting that diy people use hammer on tiles because they won't know how to do it. Too much pressure & they'll break the tile. Also hammer action on a screw gun is very different to the hammer action of a drill.
OP has more building knowledge than I could ever hope to. I trust he'll know what I was talking about.

Calahonda52

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Fitting showers all day long means I have to drill into all sorts of tiles. For porcelain or very hard tiles I use the triangular tile bit to get the whole started or maybe the first quarter of the hole. Then I swap to bosh multi purpose bits. If it's a cordless drill or screw gun you can even use the hammer action. Always keep your bits wet to cool them and don't push too hard.
Although I might only drill 4 holes if they are porcelain it might delay me by 30 minutes. I might use 1 triangle bit every 2 holes.
I've tried diamond tipped but found if you try to rush it they break just as easy and they aren't cheap.

Okay, was in Woodies so picked uo the triangular bits.
Just wonder what you meant by
bosch multi purpose bits

Couldn't see any other than masonry/timber/steel

Sleeper12 wrote: »

...
OP has more building knowledge than I could ever hope to. I trust he'll know what I was talking about.

In the valley of the blind....:)

Sleeper12

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Okay, was in Woodies so picked uo the triangular bits.
Just wonder what you meant by
bosch multi purpose bits

Couldn't see any other than masonry/timber/steel



In the valley of the blind....:)

There's a pic on the card of Tile, brick & metal I think. I use these for regular tiles. Drills through them in seconds. Hard tiles are a different matter as you know.

Calahonda52

Okay, just to sign off on this one.

Bought a 3mm Piranha triangular bit in Woodies [ €8.50 each ] and used it, at very slow speed on the drill, to drill through the tile. First one broke after a while but got the job done with a 5mm triangular.

Got two more 3mm in Woodies for the other two holes, one was for a cable so needed to be widened out to 12mm which I did with my existing stock of triangular.
Job done, case closed, thanks for insights!