question on drilling into tiles.

[rnln]

Hi guys,
Anyone who ever installed a bath tub slide door, may I ask a question on drilling on the tiles? Do I just drill directly into the tiles, to screw in the slide door's aluminum frame, or is there a special tool/technique?
Thanks.

[gassy]

They have tile bits and i always put masking tape on the tile, mark the hole then drill. The tape is less slippery than the tile.

[look 171]

GEt a tile drill bit at your local tile shop for a few bucks. I sometime use a cheap glass drill bit if its just a couple of holes.

[rnln]

Is the tile dril bit same as concrete drill bit?

[URY914]

Originally Posted by rnln

Is the tile dril bit same as concrete drill bit?

No. Go to the store and look around.

[Zeke]

It always helps to use a center punch on the location of the hole. You don't need to hit it hard, just break the surface. The drill bit will stay right there. I use common masonry bits. Haven't cracked a tile yet.

[fastfredracing]

Buy a couple of bits as well, they can snap pretty easy if they bind in the hole.

[A930Rocket]

Drill in the grout line if you can. Saves a lot if time and trouble.

[PorschePilot]

Lowes and Home Depot will have the tile bits.

[Tobra]

Trekkor?

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by milt

It always helps to use a center punch on the location of the hole. You don't need to hit it hard, just break the surface. The drill bit will stay right there. I use common masonry bits. Haven't cracked a tile yet.

This is the way to do it.
Good advice!


KT

[rnln]

Thanks everyone. I did a search for "Masonry bits" and found this picture below, and also found that my dad has one from years ago in his tool box.
Thanks again.

[john70t]

4ft level is your friend.

Clean and scrape first. Install very dry first to check fitment, then work fast.
Continuous even bead of clear silicone under the inner edges, and wrap it up sides. Finish with matching silicone caulk. Blue tape a stop line if caulking skilz ain't perfect(like mine).

The plastic inserts with bumps hammered in will have some give, and don't spin with proper drill size. Glueing them in place first is even better.

[Noah930]

I recently installed some fixtures in my bathroom, and drilled through various ceramic tiles. I was always told to go slowly, to avoid heating up the tip of the drill bit too much, and to apply a constant stream of water/oil to cool off the tip. What a waste of time, that advice. You'll be drilling for years.

I finally googled "drilling through ceramic tile." There are a couple videos out there. I bought a couple masonry bits. Pretty much drill slowly for a few (3 or 4) short bursts to break the glaze on the tile surface. Masking tape on the drill site helps keep the bit from walking initially. And then drill away with wild abandon (and ignore all the admonitions to go slowly). Done in about 15 seconds.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by milt

It always helps to use a center punch on the location of the hole. You don't need to hit it hard, just break the surface. The drill bit will stay right there. I use common masonry bits. Haven't cracked a tile yet.

That's the same way I do it.
Put some tape on it, mark it, then carefully and softly tap it with a hammer/center punch until I break up the thin glaze covering. Then drill like it's going out of style with a carbide tipped masonry bit.

Just don't tell let the masons here you say that, it's 'sposed to be a secret!