Anyone with experience of drilling into limestone?

Did you smash it

want to have a limestone panel which is 1.9 cm thick drilling into to hang a shelf to in my shower. The screw would go into the wall behind the panel. Is that a job requiring a decent amount of skill or fairly straightforward? Obviously the workman needs masonry drill bits

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058356119/anyone-with-experience-of-drilling-into-limestone

Hmmm "Did you smash it" that would be my worry.

Drilling limestone is easy BUT you'd want to be careful you don't split the panel, particularly if you are drilling near the edge. I would give it a go with an ordinary masonry bit with no percussion whatsoever - no SDS no hammer action - just letting the weight of the drill do the work. It might be very slow but it shouldn't split. I used to live in Bradford where all the houses are made of a sort of limestone and the stone has a grain which if you drill into (parallel with the grain) it will definitely split if you are not very careful.

Padre_Pio

Id almost be using a diamond tile bit for something like this. Something like a 6 or 8mm so you can fit your rawl plug in, but I have zero experience.

The Continental Op

I think a diamond tile bit is an excellent idea.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122265769#Comment_122265769

this is the wall and the unit id like to safely install

The Continental Op

Not sure? Aesthetically I wouldn't want to drill that stone for those brackets. Don't forget you'll need to use stainless steel screws so they don't rust and damage the stone.

I think I'd investigate using an epoxy glue rather than drilling for something like that? https://gluesavior.com/how-to-glue-marble-to-metal/

My thoughts would be to get a stick on shelf - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=shower+shelf

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122276312#Comment_122276312

dunno, you can't easily undo glue, and those stick on shelves are poor quality.

I like the idea of screwing something to the wall. Very secure and easily undone. I'd buy black plastic screw caps to color match them to the brackets. Stainless screws is essential

Not to call out the OP, but are you sure that's not just normal tile? Maybe take off the shower rail and see how that's secured.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122276370#Comment_122276370

not sure if it’s tile or stone at all in fact. Could ask the previous owner of the house.

here’s a few more pictures to give further context.

Mr321

Bit of masking tape on where your planning to drill, diamond bit for going through tile, when you feel your through it and at the wall behind swap to masonary bit, no hammer action on drill at any time, slow speed, no force on drill, bottle of spray water on the area every so often when drilling tile . Slow and steady

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122281184#Comment_122281184

I don’t even own an electric drill, would this good ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2CYKJ93?ref=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_EJHQBDB887RFZZW3P9G6&ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_EJHQBDB887RFZZW3P9G6&social_share=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_EJHQBDB887RFZZW3P9G6&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1

so how do I decide what size diamond and masonry drill to buy?

what do you mean by hammer action on the drill? Someone above refers to SDS hammer or percussion…maybe I need to google that when I have a chance

Also the tile isn’t on masonry/ the wall. There is a 1.9 cm thick tile, than 0.9 cm of space and then the wall. Let me know if you think that might cause the tile to be vulnerable to cracking or any other issue.

thanks

The Continental Op

If you have to ask about drills then this isn't the first job you should be tackling with a drill!

My point earlier was that I wouldn't use a SDS or percussion drill. You'd normally use one of those on hard materials like brick and stone but not in this case as you don't want to shatter the tiles. To make matters worse the 0.9cm gap makes it more likely you'd damage the tiles with a SDS or percussion drill because there may not be anything behind the area you are drilling to support it.

It isn't an easy job and if you do take it on then it will also be a slow one. Just put up a sticky shelf and then you'll find if its worth it you can put up the one of your dreams ;-) The glue comes off easily often heating with a hot air gun or hair drier helps.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122290348#Comment_122290348

ok, yes I’ll call off the idea of trying it myself. It was good to hear from people with a degree of confidence in doing such a job’s. I’ll either find someone I trust to do it or go with a stick on option.

The Continental Op

You may find the stick on option is a blessing in disguise? If it gets in the way or is at the wrong height they are cheap so you can just get another and put it in a different location. When you are happy you have the exact spot then get someone (with insurance;-) ) to put the shelf you want in the right spot.