This is the bit I used. They have them up to 1/2" diameter :

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516231185.jpg


BLACK+DECKER
1/8 in. x 2-1/4 in. Carbide Glass/Tile Drill Bit

$6.98 /each
This BLACK & DECKER 1/8 in. x 2-1/4 in. Glass/Tile Drill Bit is a specialty bit with a carbide tip. It is for drilling in tile, glass, ceramics and mirrors. It fits 3/8 in. drills or larger.

The Bosch bits are perfect for what you want to do. The reason a tile cracks is from pressure. Cracks usually occur in the beginning or at the very end. In the beginning when you apply heavy pressure to break through the outer glaze. At the end when the bit starts to go through it may twist or catch a fragment.

To prevent cracking in the beginning. Mark your holes. Take the bit before chucking in it the drill. Place it at your mark and tap it very gently until you see the glaze crack. You don't need to go all the way through the glaze just crack the surface. Do this with all the marks.

Chuck the bit and let the bit do the work. Slow speed light pressure. Hold the drill straight. When you feel it break through the back go even slower. It doesn't hurt to back the bit out at this point and check things out.

what sort of contractor cant drill tile? Almost every tile job requires it. What does he do around plumbing fixtures? Some tile drills alot more difficult than others and some crack super easy. Generally standard wall tile is the easiest. If they break no big deal if its a fresh installation he has extras and its easy to replace. Drilling for a shower rod is standard procedure. Also they are much less likely to crack when they are cemented in place. Drilling on the grout line is much more likely to cause damage because the bits only have flutes they chatter and break tiles and bits.

You know I think that might be one of the bits I tried...I do remember carbide tip. I could never even get one to make a dent...even with Vash's tape tip...

I reckon I just suck at this :)

Maybe you just had really really tough tiles ;)

The ones I drilled through were fairly soft and the bit was really sharp, I could almost dent the glaze just by applying slight pressure on the drill.

Sam is correct. That is the bit to use on Subway tile. Porcelain tile is a very different animal.

And I thought it was just me :).

I have drilled through glass tile with those Bosch bits with great success. Just let the bit do the work and don't push hard. You can also have a little cup of water to occasionally dip the bit into if it is getting hot. Haven't cracked a tile yet and I've done it on 3 occasions.

Yeah, that was my first thought, too, when Mrs. Noah explained to me why the contractor didn't install the shower curtain rod.

I've uneventfully drilled through porcelain tile in the past, but not yet subway tile. Wondered if there was something I was totally missing.

Water cooled diamond bits. Works great and actually bites in and doesnt dance all over the surface like a conventional bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-728023-1-4-Inch-Diamond-Cooling/dp/B000NK9G98

How do you do that on a wall?

The one I posted a link to shows it. It has a little box that holds the water. Leaks maybe, but it does the job.