What You Will Need:
- Diamond Core drill bits (often referred to as Diamond Hole Saw)
- 6mm Diamond Core Drills tend to be used for the smaller items in your bathroom such as toilet roll holders, toothbrush holders, hooks, towel rings, soap dishes, razor holders and shower baskets.
- 8mm Diamond Core Drills tend to be used for larger items such as cabinets, mirrors and shower frames.
- Sponge and bowl of water (for use on tiles already attached to the wall)
- Masking tape
- Tray (for collecting wastewater if tile is not already attached to the wall)
- Safety goggles
Disclaimer. Using rotary tools near water has never been, to the best of our knowledge, endorsed by any of the rotary tool manufacturers. If you do choose to drill near water or with attachments under water connected to your drill then you do so at your own risk. Please be aware that mixing electricity and water can be very dangerous.
Step 1
For porcelain tiles already attached to the wall mark the position of where you require the hole to be with a marker pen and place a strip of masking tape over the top. When you begin to drill the masking tape will help prevent any skittering across the surface of the tile. For porcelain tiles not yet attached to the wall or porcelain plates, mark your intended drill hole in the same way and place the tile/plate into a tray which can catch the debris and water.
Step 2
Soak your sponge in water (keeping a bowl of water to hand in order to top up) and place it directly next to your intended drill hole. The purpose of using a lubricant such as water is to ensure the material and your drill bit do not overheat which can cause your material to crack and will shorten the life of your drill bit.
Step 3
Start the drill, somewhere between 1000 and 1500 rpm and angle your core drill on the masking tape to begin the drilling whilst at the same time squeezing water from your sponge directly onto the drilling process. The angling of the core drill bit will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface. As soon as you begin to cut into the porcelain tile return your drill to its normal vertical position and continue to drill through your tile. For further help, you might also like to read our article: 12 Things You Should Know about Diamond Drill Bits
