Issue Drilling Glazed Porcelain Tiles

[Tile Shop]

I have got wind of an enquiry today. A customer has got 600x300 glazed porcelain tiles that they are trying to drill a 6mm hole into.

They have tried dry bits, wet bits with a cooling system, loose tiles from the front and back, fitted tiles, tape, a drill clamp...... but the tile just shatters. No-one else has had an issue drilling these tiles before.

Using similar equipment and techniques, they have managed to cut a 27mm hole for a pipe, but 6mm holes are proving impossible.

I spoke to one of our local tilers and he thought the only thing it could be, other than the incorrect bits being used, is that they are applying too much pressure.

Customer stated to my colleague that the bits used are new, diamond tipped and suitable for porcelain. Unsure of the brand though.

Any ideas anyone?

 

[Old Mod]

I have got wind of an enquiry today. A customer has got 600x300 glazed porcelain tiles that they are trying to drill a 6mm hole into.

They have tried dry bits, wet bits with a cooling system, loose tiles from the front and back, fitted tiles, tape, a drill clamp...... but the tile just shatters. No-one else has had an issue drilling these tiles before.

Using similar equipment and techniques, they have managed to cut a 27mm hole for a pipe, but 6mm holes are proving impossible.

I spoke to one of our local tilers and he thought the only thing it could be, other than the incorrect bits being used, is that they are applying too much pressure.

Customer stated to my colleague that the bits used are new, diamond tipped and suitable for porcelain. Unsure of the brand though.

Any ideas anyone?

Yeah, use Rubi dry bits (or similar) with a grinder, much easier to control, not much pressure required. (Old adage, let the tool do the work! Hahaha u can take that how u wish!)

And sometimes when a tile has been overfired, don't matter how good u are, they shatter, too much tension in the tile. Had a similar issue myself recently. New batch delivered, cut perfectly.

 

[Italy]

the best thing is to throw in the ocean tiles
it happened to me, impossible drilling, Mondrillo Montolit, bit sigma, etc. ecc.sempre wet dry break.
called technical factory tiles, tiles with bad baking.
the biggest problem were 20 bathrooms, all the same.
then brand of tiles (do not name) at the end of work paid me € 600 for the broken bits

 

[One Day]

Over-fired porcelain - again

 

[Tile Shop]

Hmmmm...... one to raise with the factory me thinks. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[One Day]

Hmmmm...... one to raise with the factory me thinks. Thanks for the tips guys.

The factories always deny it. My advice - take a tile and run it through your wet saw.
You should see the gap behind the blade close as you get through the tile.
Without cutting right through - take a picture of the closed gap. That's your evidence of poor firing control.
(here's one I had similar trouble with

 

[Tile Shop]

They called back in...... the drill was knackered and was vibrating. Like the hammer setting was on but not as punchy. They got a new one and it worked fine. Happy ending.

 

[Diggy]

You might find that the waste is getting caught in the core bit as you're going through and this might cause too much heat/stress . With holes that small I'd go in a few mm , then snap out the waste from the tile with a small flat head screwdriver , then continue on down again and repeat until through. Might sound a laborious but it could save some heartache.
And remember this process is not drilling , it's grinding at a slow speed , patience is key imho.

Diggy :0)