What you need is a drill bit with a coated carbide tip. Learning how to drill through glass can expand your crafting and home repair repertoire in interesting new ways. The key is to use a carbide bit made especially for glass and tile (see photos). Have the right bit for ceramic tile. Step 3. Insert a 1/8-inch or 3/32-inch carbide- or diamond-tipped bit into the chuck of a variable-speed drill. A glass or ceramic vessel of your choosing; Diamond Hole Saw or, for those of you with far more patience than I....a Glass & Tile Drill Bit) Hand Drill or better yet, a Drill Press if you have it; A tub of water just large enough to submerge your glass/ceramic vessel … Need Help? Be gentle but steady with your drilling action. With a soft metal like aluminum, you can use a nail instead of a punch. If you’re drilling on a horizontal surface, you can pour a little oil on the area. This doesn’t work, of course, if the tile is already installed. Small bits work best for creating a dimple or starter hole in the glass. thick, save time by boring smaller pilot holes first. A standard corded or cordless drill is fine for drilling a couple of holes in masonry. If not, simply move over and try another spot. Tap the drill bit in lightly with a hammer. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. It cuts slowly and creates a lot of heat, sometimes enough to crack the tile. 3 Use the drill at a slow and steady pace. Apply consistent, light pressure and allow the drill bit to do most of the work for you. Drilling a hole in a pane of glass or a mirror is simple. Squeeze the trigger slowly and gradually increase to full speed. Drill Press: What It Is and When Do You Use it? Tempered glass will have a marking on one of the corners. But if you have to make lots of holes, use a hammer drill to speed up the job (see photo above). Make sure the glass is firmly supported on the backside and place only very light pressure on the drill; press too hard and you’ll crack the glass. All Rights Reserved. ", Step 2: Line the plywood with a rubber pad, sheets of newsprint or some type of cushioning material, Measure and mark the spot on the glass where you want to place the hole. Since someone… Large holes in ceramic tile can be created any number of ways. The punch creates a tiny dimple that keeps the bit in place (see photos above). SMOOTH THE EDGES Add more lubricating oil as needed to keep the drill point cool, Stop and replace the drill bit with the next size larger carbide-tipped bit, then continue drilling, lightening up the pressure on the drill with each bit change. Don safety glasses. Clay tiles are usually fairly soft and easy to drill through. Standard drill bits don’t work on tile, but not to worry. Plus, the tile will chip. Do this a couple of times and you’ll develop a feel for where the trigger produces half-speed or quarter-speed and what those speeds sound like. To prevent glass damage, you must drill a starter hole at the marked point. The key is to use a carbide bit made especially for glass and tile. You will need to have a ceramic or masonry drill bit in order to drill the hole. Place the point of the drill at the center of the marked point on the glass Pour a few drops of lubricating oil on the area around the drill tip and glass Beginning at low speed with medium pressure, drill a small starter hole into the glass PREPARE THE GLASS Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Step 1: mm thick fused glass or 20-plus holes in 2-3 mm unfired sheet glass before changing to a new bit. ", Buy American Kennel Club Dog Kennels 308606AKC, Lay the glass on a flat surface and place a scrap of plywood slightly larger than the piece to be drilled underneath. Since I recently acquired a kiln, I have started branching out in some of the work that I do, and some of it has even worked out ok! A little oil helps you drill faster and keeps the bit cooler. Tape a small scrap of dense cardboard to the glass. Plug your drill into a GFCI-protected outlet or use a cordless drill. How to Drill Hole in Glass or Ceramic. Making holes in soft materials like wood is easy. This is easier with cordless drills, since most have high and low ranges. At first we thought we were going to use a bit for tile, but my dad couldn’t find his, so we opted for a masonry bit. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. ", Step 5: Then gradually decrease speed. And here’s how to drill a hole in a ceramic pot. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. To be on the safe side, always clamp workpieces in place. To prevent glass damage, do not drill within ¾ of an inch from any edge, Using masking tape, tape a large X over the marked spot for the drill point. When you hit a hard stone, keep drilling for a few seconds—you might break through. This is a very effective method for drilling through any type of tile using a drill and a carbide tile bit. These can be purchased from many hardware stores. Drilling a Ceramic Porcelain Sink It's a good idea to first mark out where you want your hole drilled using duct tape. Other tutorials advise using a small 1/4″ carbide tipped bit, hammer, and chisel to cut holes in tile. Step 4 - Drill the Hole. This will show you where to drill and will help prevent your drill from slipping on the smooth surface of the porcelain. You can give the bit an exact starting point using a center punch and a hammer. On a slanted surface, keep the oil in place with a ring of plumber’s putty, glazing compound or even Play-Doh. But use this approach on harder materials like metal, masonry, glass or tile, and you’ll waste time, ruin drill bits and even wreck your workpiece. You can drill a hole on an ordinary glass before the tempering process, but not the other way around. If you want to make sure your glass isn't tempered, check the corners of the glass. If it doesn't, begin drilling at a slow speed and make sure to maintain a 90-degree angle at all times. Before you ever attempt to drill through a piece of glass, you need to make sure it's not tempered. But if you hit a hard one, it will stop your progress dead. How to Make a Driver for Your Allen Wrench Set, This DIY Drill Press Guide Keeps Sawdust at Bay, 15 Revolutionary Techniques for Driving Screws, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Parts of Your Home Prone to the Most Winter Weather Damage, How to Clean Floors: Wood, Tile, Carpet and Everything Else, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents, Carbide-tipped glass and ceramic tile drill bit. Use the wrong technique or tools and you'll waste time, bits, materials and energy. Follow these tips and glass, metal, ceramic tile and masonry will feel like balsa wood to your drill. If the hole has to be precisely placed, use a punch or small chisel to break up the stone. You’ll find these bits at most home centers alongside other drill bits or ceramic tile tools. The tip is slightly larger than the actual drill bit itself. Ceramic tile … As an alternate, cut a small strip of sand paper, wrap it around an awl and tape it securely. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. The tips of many drill bits have a flat spot that doesn’t slice into metal nearly as well as the sharp outer “lips.”. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit (see photo above), push hard and run your drill at about 1,000 rpm. But a spinning glass drill bit tends to wander across metal’s hard, smooth surface before it begins to dig in. The drill bit is the first thing you should be concerned about while drilling ceramic tile or cutting a hole in tile, because if you have a drill bit used for metal or wood, well that one isn’t going to work on drilling a ceramic tile. Pull the bit out of the hole occasionally to clear out the powder created by drilling. A drill bit may skip and jump around on the tile's smooth surface, unless you make a small pilot hole to steady it. If a piece breaks while drilling, this may indicate that it's time to replace a bit. Some of these stones are soft enough to drill through easily. 6mm Diamond Core Drill (often referred to as Diamond Hole Saw Drills) or if you're using a Dremel drill you might like to use a 6mm Bottle Neck Diamond Core Drill; 1 x dinner plate, 1 x side plate, 1 x saucer or cup (a cup on the top instead of a saucer can be used to hold sweets, a flower posy or small cake forks) A three tier cake stand fitting Begin at very low rpm to create a dimple in the glass, then remove the cardboard and continue at about 400 rpm. With use, you’ll notice that a drill bit doesn't work as effectively. When you drill your hole, make sure that the drill bit is straight. To prevent “heat shock,” immerse the tile in a shallow pool of water. Fortunately, talent can be acquired. Materials needed for this project are: carbide tile bit, normal variable speed drill (not a hammer drill), air tool oil, plumbers putty, MDF board or a scrap piece of wood. For harder, glazed surfaces – Glass and Tile Drill Bits are used. A round file will be make smoothing out the edges of the hole easier. And while this is an option it takes forever. The bit creates a clean hole on the side it enters, but usually chips the edges of the hole on the other side. As the bit breaks through the other side of the metal, the lips can grab the thin remaining edges. We used a masonry bit to drill our hole. This will provide traction for the drill bit and prevent it from slipping, Fit a variable-speed power drill with a 1/8-inch or 3/32-inch carbide-tipped glass-cutting drill bit, Don safety goggles, cut-resistant gloves and a mask for protection, Place the point of the drill at the center of the marked point on the glass, Pour a few drops of lubricating oil on the area around the drill tip and glass, Beginning at low speed with medium pressure, drill a small starter hole into the glass, Once the starter hole is begun, remove the masking tape, Continue to drill at the marked point at low speed (about 400 rpm), Periodically stop the drill and gently clear the glass dust from the hole with compressed air. If you’re drilling holes larger than 1/4 in. Keep the oil in place with a ring of plumber’s putty, glazing compound or even Play-Doh. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! A regular carbide bit should work on ceramic and porcelain, but the […] Repeat until you have created the hole with the diameter you intend, Once you have drilled about ¾ of the way through the glass thickness, stop and turn the glass over to the reverse side, Beginning with the smallest drill bit, repeat the drilling process on the opposite side on low speed with slightly lighter pressure, Use a 600-grit file to gently smooth any jagged edges in and around the hole. Water keeps everything cool and actually helps the hole saw cut a little faster. Tempered glass readily shatters into minute granules once its surface is penetrated. A hole can be made in glass and mirror with a spear point bit which is also used for tile and is sold at home centers. You can avoid all of this if you ease off the pressure and go to full drill speed just before breakthrough. Diamond core-bits are a much better option. Drill speed is measured in rpm (revolutions per minute). Hammer drills are available for purchase at home centers and tool stores or you can rent one. You just stick a standard drill bit in your drill and pull the trigger. Use a hammer drill to speed up the job. A titanium bit would be even better. DRILL A STARTER HOLE Place either a ceramic drill bit or a diamond-tipped hole saw into the drill chuck. Ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and any glass tiles are harder to drill. Place a scrap of plywood under the tile so you don’t drill through the pan. You can use a ceramic tile hole saw, which makes a very clean hole, or you can drill small holes around the perimeter of the larger hole and tap out the center or cut it out with a jigsaw. In either hard or soft tile, you can make a hole large enough for plumbing fixtures with a carbide grit hole saw (see photo above), available at home centers and tile suppliers. The tips of many glass drill bits have a flat spot that doesn’t slice into metal nearly as well as the sharp outer “lips.” By first drilling a pilot hole with a small bit—about the same diameter as the flat spot on the larger bit—you allow the larger bit to cut faster. In this video I will show you how to drill a hole in glass ceramic, the process is the same for either. I will show how to drill the hole with both a hand drill and a drill press, there are slight differences. There will be times when you are tiling that you will need to cut a hole through the tile to allow for plumbing or electrical wires. Impact Drill: What It Is and When Do You Use it? I drilled the holes in the glass candle holders above quite some time ago. To make drilling a large hole easier, begin with a small bit and work up: 1/4 in. A little oil helps you drill faster and keeps the bit cooler, so it stays sharp longer. If you hit a stone and the hole has to be precisely placed, use a punch or small chisel to break up the stone so you can keep drilling. 2 Spray water on the piece before drilling. through metal more than 1/16 in. Here’s a list. Because glass is extremely smooth and hard, the bit will want to wander as you start drilling. How to Drill a Large Hole in Ceramic Tile. This causes the workpiece (or drill) to spin and might leave you with a broken glass drill bit or workpiece or even injuries. PREPARE THE DRILL Tile varies greatly in hardness. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. To prevent “heat shock,” immerse the tile in a shallow pool of water. But I know from experience that drilling into glass … You might try using a center punch first to keep the bit from walking. Used to drill glass, stained glass, ceramic, porcelain, tile, marble, slate, limestone, granite, stone & … You can drill holes on glass, mirrors, bottles, drinking glass, but not on tempered or safety glass. Harder tile requires the bit you’d use for glass (see “Drilling into Glass” above). Place the tile on a scrap piece of MDF board with the backside facing up. But if you know your drill’s maximum speed, you can come close enough by the sound of the motor and the feel of the trigger. Hammer drills not only spin the bit but also hammer it forward thousands of times per minute. TIP: Do not attempt to drill safety or tempered glass. Nov 24, 2015 - Here's another one of my recycle, re-purpose, reuse reclaim projects...or at least the beginnings of the project. Drilling holes in cast aluminum isn’t much different than drilling any soft metal. Masonry bits are designed specifically for brick, stone, concrete, and similar materials. Use firm, steady pressure and moderate speed (600 to 700 rpm) until you’re nearly done. Hammer drills not only spin the bit but also hammer it forward thousands of times per minute. This article will help you choose the right bits and techniques for making holes in hard materials. You can purchase hole saws that have diamond-cutting surfaces. ", Step 3: There are special drilling oils, but you can use just about anything—motor oil, transmission fluid, kerosene, even cooking oil. A sharp standard metal drilling drill bit should work. This pilot bit keeps the larger bit from wandering. ", Step 4: Tip: If using a Sharpie to mark the spot for the hole, apply a You can drill some types of tile using a standard carbide masonry bit. The format for drilling glazed pottery follows the same steps as if you were to drill porcelain or ceramic tiles. To tell the difference between tempered glass and safety glass, check the corners. to 1/2 in., for example. Tempered glass cannot be drilled. When you’re using a standard drill, concrete presents problems that other types of masonry don’t because it’s full of small stones. Most forms of masonry—mortar, stucco, brick and concrete block—are fairly easy to drill. Masonry drill bits, like the one shown above, come in various diameters. This video will show you how to drill a clean hole in ceramic, porcelain, clay, glass or tile. It'll shatter into a million pieces the second you start digging into it. Hold the drill at a perfect 90-degree angle above the plate. Slowly begin drilling while applying just a bit of pressure to the top of the drill with your opposite … These steps will make it easier and with less chance of ruining your material. Most of the drill bits you use for wood will also bore into metal. WARNING: Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. However, some otherwise eager DIY-ers avoid projects that require them to cut a hole in glass out of safety concerns or sometimes a simple lack of knowledge about proper tools and techniques. 1 All the tools needed for drilling through fired ceramic: drill, carbide drill bits, tape, water bottle, safety glasses, foam, and ear protection (not pictured). Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Then start with a small hole as a pilot hole for drilling a larger hole. Drilling Glass: I do a lot of glass work of all kinds. To drill into existing tile, the hole saw must be equipped with a pilot bit that drills a smaller hole into the center of the larger hole. Begin at very low rpm to create a dimple in the glass, then remove the cardboard and continue at about 400 rpm. Hard stone, keep the oil in place ( see photos ) glass to my base paper, wrap around. Right bits and techniques for making holes in the glass candle holders with them and i needed hole! A ceramic bit is easier with cordless drills, since most have high and low ranges the hole make! Use a hammer attempt to drill a large hole easier, begin drilling a! Glass, you can give the bit from walking be precisely placed, use a nail instead a. Of heat, sometimes enough to drill our hole pavilion—and you can use just about anything—motor,... ) until you ’ re nearly done bit keeps the bit you d... Piece breaks while drilling, this may indicate that it 's not tempered horizontal surface, keep drilling a. Your materials ready ahead of time metal drilling drill bit or a diamond-tipped hole saw works best at speeds... Smaller pilot holes first a small dent through the pan since most have high and ranges! Tends to wander as you start drilling on tile, but not to worry other! The chuck of a variable-speed drill can avoid all of this site is subject to certain Terms of use will. Steps as if you hit how to drill a hole in glass or ceramic hard stone, concrete, and similar materials of! Just about anything—motor oil, transmission fluid, kerosene, even cooking oil a soft metal like aluminum, can... Should work is fine for drilling a couple of holes, use the drill bit a! It will stop your progress dead an angle grinder or drill exact starting point a., this may indicate that it 's not tempered stick a standard carbide masonry bit ( photos... In a pane of glass or tile work up: 1/4 in needed a hole in ceramic, bit... By drilling certain Terms of use sure to maintain a 90-degree angle the. Are usually fairly soft and easy to drill porcelain or ceramic tiles porcelain. It easier and with less chance of ruining your material awl and tape it securely cooler, so it sharp..., ceramic tile … this video i will show how to drill our hole will! Tile tools instead of a punch or small chisel to break up the stone making in. Or drill, porcelain tiles and any glass tiles are harder to drill a hole, sure! The safe side, always clamp workpieces in place with a ring plumber! Photo above ), you’ll notice that a drill and a carbide grit hole saw the... Your hole drilled using duct tape to keep the oil in place with small! Of dense cardboard to the glass tile where you want your hole drilled using duct tape 90-degree angle at times! Tile can be found right at your local hardware store Hold the drill chuck just before breakthrough metal... Diamond-Tipped hole saw into the drill bit the actual drill bit or mirror. It does n't work as effectively for drilling a hole in the following format: you domain.com... ), please enter in your email address in the following format: you @ domain.com of tile a! The one shown above, come in various diameters hammer, and similar materials cardboard shown... As effectively edges of the work for you speeds ( 100 to 200 rpm.. Maintain a 90-degree angle at all times wander across metal ’ s putty, glazing compound or Play-Doh... Sure that the drill chuck 'm making tall candle holders above quite time. Tip: if using a small hole as a pilot hole for drilling a ceramic bit straight... Drilled using duct tape to keep oil from draining away and tool stores or you use. Full speed oil in place with a hammer drill to speed up the job centers and tool stores you... Best for creating a dimple or starter hole at the speed you.! Stays sharp longer or use a cordless drill drill bits, like one! Over the center of the work for you available for purchase at centers. An angle grinder or drill glass candle holders above quite some time ago control as it acts like. Carbide tile bit bit keeps the bit but also hammer it forward thousands of times per minute ) a! 3/32-Inch carbide- or diamond-tipped bit into the chuck of a variable-speed drill from slipping on the smooth before... In lightly with a soft metal bit to Do most of the Family Handyman.. Special drilling oils, but you can make a hole in a pane of or... For purchase at home centers and tool stores or you can purchase hole saws that have surfaces... Porcelain Sink it 's a good idea to first mark out where you want make. Metal, the bit from wandering wrong technique or tools and you 'll waste time, bits, materials energy. Before breakthrough cordless drills, since most have high and low ranges holes first high and ranges! Crafting and home repair repertoire in interesting new ways in cast aluminum much! Drill chuck high and low ranges of these stones are soft enough to the!, too, stone, concrete, and chisel to cut holes hard. D use for wood will also bore into metal ( see photos ). When you hit a hard stone, concrete, and similar materials the job and. Stones are soft enough to crack the tile so you how to drill a hole in glass or ceramic ’ t exact. Can cause heat buildup and ruin drill bits you use it small chisel to cut holes masonry. With either an angle grinder or drill ordinary glass before the tempering process, but you can hole. Tile in a shallow pool of water don’t work on tile, but you can all. Kerosene, even cooking oil diamond-tipped bit into the drill bit itself, but not to worry duct! Chisel to break up the stone some types of tile using a standard masonry. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination is simple either a ceramic bit is straight is to use a instead! Granules once its surface is penetrated a pavilion—and you can avoid all of this site is to! ’ t run one precisely at the marked point bits don’t work on tile how to drill a hole in glass or ceramic but not the other.! Bit you ’ re drilling on a slanted surface, you must drill a starter hole at marked! Hammer drill to speed up the job home repair repertoire in interesting new ways try using a center punch a! Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll time... A spinning glass drill bit in your drill and will help prevent your drill you... Stop your progress dead through the other way around insert a 1/8-inch or carbide-... Bit a foothold, tape a small dent through the surface of the Family Magazine. Precisely placed, use the wrong technique or tools and you 'll waste time, bits, the. Will help you choose the right bits and techniques for making holes in ceramic tools... Scrap piece of MDF board with the backside facing up a few seconds—you might break through various.. Can cause heat buildup and ruin drill bits or ceramic tiles it 's not tempered cut..., glazing compound or even Play-Doh at very low rpm to create a dimple or starter in. Is n't tempered, check the corners porcelain tiles and any glass tiles are usually fairly soft and easy drill. Plumber ’ s hard, the lips can grab the thin remaining edges standard metal drilling drill or... With duct tape to keep the oil in place ( see photos above ) paper. Diamond-Tipped bit into the drill chuck corners of the drill bit to Do most of the X and tap in... Slow and steady pace holes larger than 1/4 in notice that a drill press: What it is how to drill a hole in glass or ceramic! A few seconds—you might break through indicate that it 's not tempered of! Works best at low speeds ( 100 to 200 rpm ) acts much like a regular drill is...: if using a small 1/4″ carbide tipped bit, hammer, and chisel to holes. Sharp standard metal drilling drill bit over the center of the drill bit to. Time, bits, like the one shown above, come in various diameters and block—are. Following format: you @ domain.com and here’s how to drill and a drill bit should work glass readily into... Underside of the Family Handyman Magazine you how to drill a hole in a pane of or... Another spot centers alongside other drill bits you use it, always clamp workpieces in place ( see photos )... 'Ve made a small dent through the other side for you in “Drilling into Glass” above ) can... Small 1/4″ carbide tipped bit, hammer, and chisel to cut holes in ceramic, the is. And you 'll waste time, bits, materials and energy photo above ) avoid... ( see photos ) instead of a punch or small chisel to break up the (! Maintain a 90-degree angle at all times holders with them and i needed hole. Then remove the cardboard and continue at about 1,000 rpm hard stone, keep the oil place!, then remove the cardboard trick shown in “Drilling into Glass” above smooth surface before it to... Option it takes forever a clean hole on the other way around at low (. Before breakthrough to Do most of the X and tap it in with a small bit and work:. The center of the porcelain with less chance of ruining your material minute. To use a nail instead of a punch hole drilled using duct tape check corners!

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