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GeekBoy
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

Okay, I've built several bathrooms already... I've used the cheap,
thin Home Dumpo tiles and easily cut through them with my Dremel-style
carbide bit attachment. It makes a nice hole for water pipes, etc.
Now, I have the hardest ceramic tile I've ever seen in my life. This
3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!
You know what I have to accomplish -- I need to make a hole (2" or so)
to fit the drain piping through it... tub downspout, shower body, etc.
Unfortunately, these are 12x12 tiles where the holes are in the
center of the tile... I cannot cut two half-moon holes in two tiles
with the wet saw.
So, how to accomplish this task? ALL my carbide bits were smoked in
very short order with NO progress AT ALL. None. It smoked every bit
and you can't even notice a notch in the tile. I've purchased diamond
tipped core drill bits, but even if that works, how do I continue
making the 2" circle? I fear that a cermic bladed jigsaw will die as
well!
Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind? Surely, this is done
everday by master tile workers, right?? This isn't miracle tile, by
the way... it's just good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom store for floors and walls.
Thanks!
  #2   Report Post  
Speedy Jim
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

GeekBoy wrote:

Okay, I've built several bathrooms already... I've used the cheap,
thin Home Dumpo tiles and easily cut through them with my Dremel-style
carbide bit attachment. It makes a nice hole for water pipes, etc.
Now, I have the hardest ceramic tile I've ever seen in my life. This
3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!
You know what I have to accomplish -- I need to make a hole (2" or so)
to fit the drain piping through it... tub downspout, shower body, etc.
Unfortunately, these are 12x12 tiles where the holes are in the
center of the tile... I cannot cut two half-moon holes in two tiles
with the wet saw.
So, how to accomplish this task? ALL my carbide bits were smoked in
very short order with NO progress AT ALL. None. It smoked every bit
and you can't even notice a notch in the tile. I've purchased diamond
tipped core drill bits, but even if that works, how do I continue
making the 2" circle? I fear that a cermic bladed jigsaw will die as
well!
Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind? Surely, this is done
everday by master tile workers, right?? This isn't miracle tile, by
the way... it's just good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom store for floors and walls.
Thanks!


HD has carbide or diamond dust hole saws just for making holes in tile.
They work wonders. Best done in a drill press.

Jim
  #3   Report Post  
wayne
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

You need a diamond or carbide hole saw

http://www.mytoolstore.com/starrett/hole004.html#grit

is the carbide grit one the diamond one is 3x the cost if you are just going
to do a few the grit one should work ok Best don on a drill press but you
could make a jig outside too. make sure you have a good drill as both bits
say they work best at HIGH speed. They don't mention but they probably work
best wet. You don't need to soak it though. If you have one of those pump
up misters it should work fine!

Wayne

"GeekBoy" wrote in message
om...
Okay, I've built several bathrooms already... I've used the cheap,
thin Home Dumpo tiles and easily cut through them with my Dremel-style
carbide bit attachment. It makes a nice hole for water pipes, etc.
Now, I have the hardest ceramic tile I've ever seen in my life. This
3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!
You know what I have to accomplish -- I need to make a hole (2" or so)
to fit the drain piping through it... tub downspout, shower body, etc.
Unfortunately, these are 12x12 tiles where the holes are in the
center of the tile... I cannot cut two half-moon holes in two tiles
with the wet saw.
So, how to accomplish this task? ALL my carbide bits were smoked in
very short order with NO progress AT ALL. None. It smoked every bit
and you can't even notice a notch in the tile. I've purchased diamond
tipped core drill bits, but even if that works, how do I continue
making the 2" circle? I fear that a cermic bladed jigsaw will die as
well!
Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind? Surely, this is done
everday by master tile workers, right?? This isn't miracle tile, by
the way... it's just good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom store for floors and walls.
Thanks!



  #4   Report Post  
xrongor
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

have you tried a rotozip type bit?

randy

"GeekBoy" wrote in message
om...
Okay, I've built several bathrooms already... I've used the cheap,
thin Home Dumpo tiles and easily cut through them with my Dremel-style
carbide bit attachment. It makes a nice hole for water pipes, etc.
Now, I have the hardest ceramic tile I've ever seen in my life. This
3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!
You know what I have to accomplish -- I need to make a hole (2" or so)
to fit the drain piping through it... tub downspout, shower body, etc.
Unfortunately, these are 12x12 tiles where the holes are in the
center of the tile... I cannot cut two half-moon holes in two tiles
with the wet saw.
So, how to accomplish this task? ALL my carbide bits were smoked in
very short order with NO progress AT ALL. None. It smoked every bit
and you can't even notice a notch in the tile. I've purchased diamond
tipped core drill bits, but even if that works, how do I continue
making the 2" circle? I fear that a cermic bladed jigsaw will die as
well!
Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind? Surely, this is done
everday by master tile workers, right?? This isn't miracle tile, by
the way... it's just good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom store for floors and walls.
Thanks!



  #5   Report Post  
LBaker
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile


"GeekBoy" wrote in message
om...
Okay, I've built several bathrooms already... I've used the cheap,
thin Home Dumpo tiles and easily cut through them with my Dremel-style
carbide bit attachment. It makes a nice hole for water pipes, etc.
Now, I have the hardest ceramic tile I've ever seen in my life. This
3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!
You know what I have to accomplish -- I need to make a hole (2" or so)
to fit the drain piping through it... tub downspout, shower body, etc.
Unfortunately, these are 12x12 tiles where the holes are in the
center of the tile... I cannot cut two half-moon holes in two tiles
with the wet saw.
So, how to accomplish this task? ALL my carbide bits were smoked in
very short order with NO progress AT ALL. None. It smoked every bit
and you can't even notice a notch in the tile. I've purchased diamond
tipped core drill bits, but even if that works, how do I continue
making the 2" circle? I fear that a cermic bladed jigsaw will die as
well!
Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind? Surely, this is done
everday by master tile workers, right?? This isn't miracle tile, by
the way... it's just good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom store for floors and walls.
Thanks!


I use a 4" angle grinder with a dry cut diamond blade. Cut through the back
of the tile and you'll be in business.




  #6   Report Post  
GeekBoy
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

Thanks to the both of you who responded. Last time I went to HD for
bits and blades, they failed me terribly... I don't think I can trust
them again!
Anyway, I don't have a drill press, but I do have a fat 18v Dewalt
with that side-arm attachment. I'll setup a little clamp jig and see
what I can do. I'll probably slip all over the tile though. The
picture in that link you sent doesn't seem to show a center drill bit
sticking through, like a regular hole saw drill attachment. So, that
means I can't keep the drill from slipping by using a center punch.
Any recomendation on how I can keep it from slipping around if I don't
have a drill press?
Lastly, I like that website you posted and want to get a few sizes.
Since I only have one last bathroom to build, I'll probably get the
carbide ones. My question is -- what size(s) do I need for:
- Tub downspout
- Shower spout
- Shower body hot/cold adjuster
Are all these 2" holes? I think I recall that the shower body
adjuster was larger.
Thanks again and I'll let you know how it goes when everything is
finally delivered and I start drilling!
  #7   Report Post  
Richard J Kinch
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

GeekBoy writes:

Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind?


Sounds like porcelain tile. You simply need a tungsten carbide or (better)
diamond gritted hole saw, a drill press, water coolant/lubricant, and
patience.
  #8   Report Post  
Rudy
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

The rotozip "tile' bit is for thin wall tile, not the thick floor type

have you tried a rotozip type bit?


3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!


.. good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom



  #9   Report Post  
xrongor
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

which doesnt mean it wont work...

randy

"Rudy" wrote in message
news:cIczc.755077$Ig.492978@pd7tw2no...
The rotozip "tile' bit is for thin wall tile, not the thick floor type

have you tried a rotozip type bit?


3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!


.. good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom





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GeekBoy
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

A-HAH! Cut through the BACK of the tile! You're a genius! Thanks!


"LBaker" wrote in message ...
snip
I use a 4" angle grinder with a dry cut diamond blade. Cut through the back
of the tile and you'll be in business.



  #11   Report Post  
Rudy
 
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Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

Well does it Randy ? I havent tried it cause I dont want to ruin the tile
bit which is what 3 people have told me it will do. "Especially the much
harder porcelain floor tile " (which I HAVE tried to drill with a diamond
bit and melted same)

" which doesnt mean it wont work...
randy



  #12   Report Post  
xrongor
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

hey, its your stuff, do what you like.

randy

"Rudy" wrote in message
news:YPjzc.757475$Ig.92262@pd7tw2no...
Well does it Randy ? I havent tried it cause I dont want to ruin the tile
bit which is what 3 people have told me it will do. "Especially the much
harder porcelain floor tile " (which I HAVE tried to drill with a diamond
bit and melted same)

" which doesnt mean it wont work...
randy





  #13   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cutting hole in INCREDIBLY HARD ceramic tile

If this is just a one time problem bring the tile to a glass company or a
tile company to put a hole in it. If you need to do it on your own then I
don't know ?




(GeekBoy) wrote:
Okay, I've built several bathrooms already... I've used the cheap,
thin Home Dumpo tiles and easily cut through them with my Dremel-style
carbide bit attachment. It makes a nice hole for water pipes, etc.
Now, I have the hardest ceramic tile I've ever seen in my life. This
3/8"+ thick ceramic tile is virtually impervious to all known mortal
methods of drill bits! I can cut it with my wet saw, but no form of
bit makes even the SLIGHTEST mark in it!
You know what I have to accomplish -- I need to make a hole (2" or so)
to fit the drain piping through it... tub downspout, shower body, etc.
Unfortunately, these are 12x12 tiles where the holes are in the
center of the tile... I cannot cut two half-moon holes in two tiles
with the wet saw.
So, how to accomplish this task? ALL my carbide bits were smoked in
very short order with NO progress AT ALL. None. It smoked every bit
and you can't even notice a notch in the tile. I've purchased diamond
tipped core drill bits, but even if that works, how do I continue
making the 2" circle? I fear that a cermic bladed jigsaw will die as
well!
Can anyone recommend a bit/blade/whatever tool for cutting the
toughest ceramic tile ever known to mankind? Surely, this is done
everday by master tile workers, right?? This isn't miracle tile, by
the way... it's just good, thick, heavy ceramic tile purchased at our
local tile showroom store for floors and walls.
Thanks!


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