Drilling ceramics

[maclarencat]

Can anyone help me please. I want to drill holes in ceramic tiles for an art project but I need to do lots of them. What is the best sort of drill bit to use? The hole size is 6mm.

[Canary42]

Diamond tipped probably the best.

[ChuckFickens]

At a push normal masonry drill, preferably a tile/glass drill

http://www.screwfix.c...rills/3pc-glass-drill

[robbiebob]

And use maskin tape to stop the bit sliding!!! 80)

[sddsddean]

As said, tile drill is best. When you mark up your tile, put a piece of masking tape on the tile so that as you start the hole the bit doesn't skitter across the tile and scratch it.

[maclarencat]

Are the spade type drill bits best or the ones that drill out a core and do I have to use a lubricant and how long would a drill bit last. A lot of questions I know but I dont want to get it wrong

[ChuckFickens]

Are the spade type drill bits best or the ones that drill out a core
Spade type for 6mm

and do I have to use a lubricant
No comment, but the drill will be fine, just take it slow

and how long would a drill bit last.
Ages.

[boxtops]

I drilled tiles in the kitchen, I put masking tape over the area then used a fine drill bit to make the hole.

[boxtops]

..but you need bigger holes so that ^ might not help you

[TheWinner]

I got my husband to drill some tiles for me, also for an art project. I marked the place I wanted it drilling with a chinagraph, he used a normal drill, nothing else. He put the drill bit on the tile, and turned it very slowly, by hand, until we could hear the glaze crack/bite, then turned on the drill, and it was perfect. We have done loads. We didn't use any masking tape or lubricant, however, you do what you think is right for you. Try one first, and see how it goes. (Wear protective eyewear). Everyone learns by trial and error, that's all part of the fun, especially when being creative with Art. Good luck.

[maclarencat]

Thanks all. I have tried but keep getting chipping around the holes. I just wondered if I was doing something wrong.

[beso]

The ideal solution is a hollow drill bit that cuts from the outside inwards. This avoids the outward pressure of a conventional bit that chips the glaze and cracks the ceramic.

Unfortuantely these bits are very expensive and you won't find them in a hardware shop.

http://www.philacarbide.com/Hollow.asp