I guess this is asked a lot, so please pointme in the right direction.I want to drill some holes in large bathroom tiles,to take screws for a grab bar in a shower.I've been advised to buy a drill bit specific to this task -what should I ask for, and what is different about these bits?I'll be visiting South London Power Tools, which seems to havea great range of these types of things. I'd like to display some knowledge of what I'm after though!Also, what sort of wall anchors are recommended?The tiles are on the side of a shower stall, which is probablymade of plasterboard underneath.I've got some spring toggles and some other expaning wall anchors.

Tile Drill -For sinking red rawlplugs, I'd use a 6mm bit to get through the tile and a5.5mm regular bit for the plaster/brick if that's what's underneath. Don'tdo the complete hole with the tile bit as it will sh*g the bit.It's preferable to have a fractional clearance through the tile so thefixing won't crack it. A dab of silicon in the hole when assembling thefitting won't go amiss.If you need expanding fittings then beware of rust streaks in the shower ifusing low cost metallic ones such as this. is a picture of what you are after. High St price is probably about £5each.

Drilling tiles?

Nov 17, 2003 23 Replies

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Philip Wagstaff 22 years ago

From my experience firmly anchoring this kind of furniture on plasterboard is not easy. First many fitments have anchorage holes very close together, quite impossible to achieve in plasterboard - so pick the right kind. Even then something as sturdy as a grab bar needs reliable fixing and I would suggest mounting it on a substantial wooden base that is first secured to the wall Drilling into tile is not difficult, use a piece of masking tape to reduce the masonry drill slipping and do not press too hard, just sufficient to cut. Whatever screw/anchor you decide on it must not put any significant pressure on the tile, or it will crack, I cut the tile hole slightly larger than the mounting hole or this reason. To use toggles requires a very large hole

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Zymurgy 22 years ago

Foolishly I neglected to tell the supplier i'd be using 2 taps :-/

Top tip -> Get someone else to do the holes :-)

It'll also prevent sending the neighbours doolally & them potentially getting the EHO round due to the screeching noise !

Cheers,

Paul.

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StealthUK 22 years ago

Use masking tape if you want but I just twist a masonary drill bit with my hand to get through the glaze then insert it into the drill and etc etc - job done.

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PJO 22 years ago

Exactly!

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