Iv never use drills on tiles ,
I use a grinder to make holes through the back of the tile , which is good for any type of tile or stone .
I use a nob type attachment for my grinder when needed as well ( very useful but cant think of what its called)
Its the plumbers the use the drills after me for shower screens etc..

Im just wondering if using a drill will speed me up at all .. Or make thing easier in any way ,, is it worth investing ??

Drills for me everytime

I always drill if pipes etc are on show after completion.

I've got a set of drills from 6 - 110 mm and couldn't imagine being without them......


Created on iPhone.....

Pipes and wires are on show most of the time. , wanna know if using a drill before laying the tiles is faster than what i do now ?
I coudnt imagine drilling a tile that isnt fixed , without REMOVED up the tile.
, iv never used a drill on tiles at all ...

it's all about the aesthetics and having the right tools to do the job, tbh I've never heard of any tiler not drilling a hole in a tile

Originally Posted by Marcusko89

Pipes and wires are on show most of the time. , wanna know if using a drill before laying the tiles is faster than what i do now ?
I coudnt imagine drilling a tile that isnt fixed , without REMOVED up the tile.
, iv never used a drill on tiles at all ...

Do you have any pics of the holes doing it your way? and how long dose each hole take doing it your way? Personally I use a variety of methods to cut holes in tiles. The method I choose will all depend on the type of tile I am cutting and how neat and accurate the hole has to be.

i use to use a grinder and pin hammer but not done it like that for years now, drills are much faster

Drills for a professional finish every time for me, even if the holes are going to be covered to be honest.

Il post some pics when i next do it , but i basicly mark a circle where the holes going on the tile , carefuly grind the surface,,
Then on the back , grind lines to get the centre of the hole ,, and just grind away till i go through,
Parrot nips finnish it off .... Sorted

Doesnt take as long as it sounds ,
And the holes are perfect so....
When i get some pics you will have a better idea of how i do it ,,
Might just invest in a drill and test it out : ))

I will time it too ; )

That is how my old boss used to do it but he was as rough as a badgers back side and used to leave them in a right state. I think you will find it much quicker and easier drilling them, providing you get a decent set. Have a look at 365 drill bits, they are one of the sponsors of this site and let us know how you get on

Will do rich ,, cheers

I may be proven wrong but I can’t see some of the holes I have to do being neat enough without a drill.

DSCF0067.jpgImage0415.jpgImage0446.jpgImage0471.jpgDSCF3078.JPG

it's okay doing big holes with a grinder and small holes if semi circles (with grout line running through centre) but you can't beat a drill for a perfect finish

We get told about this a lot.

Basically installers knock out the back of tiles with a grinder. Its done a lot too on the continent.

The main dissadvantages are:
1) Smaller holes like fixutres and fittings cant be done this way. Its difficult to position the holes.


You could never achieve this level of accuracy with a grinder.
You could never grind out the holes once tiles are fitted.


Drilling from the front is far more accurate.


Holes drilled from the front are milimeter perfect and accurate.
The level of finish is the ultimate. Can be grouted or siliconed.

In contemporary bathrooms its all about minimal looks.
Capping plates can look ugly.


Capping plates over freehand drilled holes or grinder made holes can look ugly.



With the use of a water cooled sponge its arguably cleaner and safer.
You can control the speed of the drill and collect the dust with a wet sponge.

With an angle grinder its fierce, hot, very dusty, noisy.

You are also restricted to the lead. An angle grinder is tethererd so can restrict movement.



You could never do this with an angle grinder.


Also for specialist holes then you need accuracy.
Our cores drill holes in toilets, sinks, urinals, shower trays, white porcleain goods.



Hole drilled into a toilet to fit a waste pipe. Clean, Accurate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
***WARNING CLICKING LINKS BELOW WILL SHOW GRAPHIC INJURY PHOTOS***
Also there is a safety aspect. Angle grinders like fire are a great mistress but a bad master.
Accidents can happen. For proof of that we can provide links to angle grinder accidents.
But they are too gruesome to print here.

Angle grinder accident: Warning contains graphic images of angle grinder embedded in leg. Viewer caution advised.

Angle grinder accident two. Operator gets angle grinder stuck in face. Viewer caution advised.
***WARNING CLICKING LINKS ABOVE WILL SHOW GRAPHIC INJURY PHOTOS***
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Our suggestion is a set of the multipacks for £7 a drill which is great value for money.
Its worth having in your toolbox and will we think make your life easier.

Check it out ,
Both holes marked and cut in under 8 minuets ,
Its the way iv always done it and works fine , accuracy just depends on how well i mark it .
I can do small holes , big holes , whatever , no problem .
What do you think??

I agree with the noise dust etc tho ...

I will definately get a drill at some piont, cheers for the info, also..
How does speed etc compare ?

Originally Posted by deanotile

I may be proven wrong but I can’t see some of the holes I have to do being neat enough without a drill.

DSCF0067.jpgImage0415.jpgImage0446.jpgImage0471.jpgDSCF3078.JPG

Iv done this with my method and its been perfect , although i imagine it would definatly be easier with a drill ; )

I think that drilling will save you a lot of time. On a ceramic tile I reckon you could go through it as quick as the first cut of the grinder. There is nothing wrong with doing it your way, its just that if there are quicker and easier ways of doing it, why not do it that way? Get your self a set of the 365s and let us know how you get on with them. I think you will be impressed

Thanks fo the advice guys , il let you all know how i get on and update this thread when ive tried'em'out 

Looking good as a project. I would certainly agree that its a useful technique and that diamond grinder shown above is a lot different to an angle grinder. Its an diamond core attachment rather than a blade so less likely to do any injury.

We have discovered many ways to get those pipes through tiles! Heres a classic example:



The intention here is to cover them so its not important how they get through the tile.

Am sure that tilers have many varied ways to get through the tiles. Room in the market for all.
As mentioned the downside of the grinders are the dust and speed.
You also have to have a lot of skill and patience. Its not easy to grind from the back and get the result to the front.
So congratulations on a skillful use of a tool !

But obviously when it comes to the small rawl plugs then there really is only one way to do it. And thats from the front. And with a drill.






£99 for a pack of five

Originally Posted by Marcusko89

Check it out ,
Both holes marked and cut in under 8 minuets ,
Its the way iv always done it and works fine , accuracy just depends on how well i mark it .
I can do small holes , big holes , whatever , no problem .
What do you think??

i like it m8 i will give it a go.

I must admit I used to do it this way, with the grinder, even use the German G clamp and tungsten pin hammer. But I think the core drill is the way to go imo.