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I am about to make holes in a ceramic tile (in order to attach an Ikea piece of furniture in the bathroom). As this is the first time I am going to do this, I have done some research and bought some equipment - like diamond bits. However, I am wondering whether it is worthwhile investing in a new drill. The one that I have now is a very simple Black&Decker with two speed settings: 1250-2750/min. I am wondering whether this is too fast (I have seen different recommend numbers in the internet, some as low as 600-700 rotations per minute.)

Background:

  • the tiles are 120-by-60 cm, but some holes might be only about an inch or two from the edge. Not sure about the proper term for the material - in French these are referred to as carrelage (floor tiles, although can be used for wall), as opposed to faïence (typically smaller tiles, used mainly for walls in kitchens and bathrooms.)
  • I am planning to use diamond drill bits (see here), but the seller still recommended me to go slow and cool the bit with water
Roger V.
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It entirely depends on your drill bit:

The professional hollow core diamond drillbits for dry drilling contain wax coolant and can (and should) be used with the highest speed available. They often come with an M14 interface for use in angle grinders, which run with 11500rpm.

The carbide bits with arrow-like heads should be used with low rotations (under 500 rpm).

Given the cost and inconveniences of a broken tile, I'd:

  • Invest in the best drill bits available.
  • Make precautions that the drillbit won't slip. Perhaps make a wooden template and attach it temporarily on the wall, to prevent slipping.
  • Read the instructions carefully. Should there be no instructions then I'd question the quality of the equipment.
  • Try on some spare tile pieces first.

Edit, regarding the question of safe RPM:

The mentioned 11500RPM were for angle grinder drill bits. Others have lower safe RPM. In general the cut is better with high rpm, but there is always an upper limit for the safe cutting speed. The limit is specified by the instruction manual.

psmears
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Martin
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  • Thanks. So the speed is not the issue? (The bits packaging says up to 3000/min.) – Roger V. Jul 24 '23 at 07:54
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    I doubt the quality of your drill bits. Given the pain of an broken tile, I'd ditch them and get good ones. Bosch professional or Milwaukee should be widely available – Martin Jul 24 '23 at 07:57
  • Good point. Thanks. – Roger V. Jul 24 '23 at 07:59
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    When using the old carbide bits to drill holes in porcelain tile I first dill a hole with a 1/8" bit, then move up to the needed size. Even with the 1/8" bit I hold the drill with both hands to start, then remove my left hand to use it to spray water on the bit and hole. You must keep the bit cool or it will quickly become dull. For the diamond coring bits I start with the final size and have used water to cool them. According to @Martin at least some diamond bits are impregnated with a wax coolant! My bits are from years back and I doubt they had that. – Jim Stewart Jul 24 '23 at 11:35
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    @RogerVadim Usually the up to RPM numbers are for safety. The bit or disk/blade might become unsafe to use above. It usually is not for best working RPM in material. – crip659 Jul 24 '23 at 12:15
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    @RogerVadim added some details about the safe cutting speed – Martin Jul 24 '23 at 12:41
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    Re high-speed cutting: There are also carbide router bits made to cut tile. In fact the "roto-zip" tool marketed some years as a contractor's cut-out tool for tile was basically just a small router with appropriate bits, slightly redesigned to make it easier to hold. – keshlam Jul 24 '23 at 13:14
  • Re: drill bit slipping. I have used the arrow-shaped bits to numerous holes in ceramic tile. I've always found that simply pushing the bit (once mounted in the drill) and rotating it into the tile at the desired spot (I could hear the bit grinding through the coating) was more than enough to make a small indention in the porcelain that was sufficient for keeping the bit from wandering. These were 4x4" wall tiles, not floor tiles, so YMMV, but I'm willing to bet it'd work for floor tile, too. Of course, if other bit types are being used, other methods may be necessary. – FreeMan Jul 24 '23 at 16:41