Drilling into Tiles

This guide outlines the process for drilling holes in tiles, particularly for mounting items using dowels.

Required Tools & Materials:

• Pencil or felt-tip marker
• Clear adhesive tape (e.g., Scotch tape)
• 6mm HSS metal drill bit
• 6mm masonry drill bit
• Hammer drill with adjustable speed (recommended)
• Cold water for cooling the drill bit
• Vacuum cleaner with upholstery nozzle
• Dowels (e.g., 6mm Fischer dowels)

Step-by-Step Drilling Process:

1. Mark the Drilling Point: Use a pencil or felt-tip marker to indicate the desired drilling location on the tile. Draw a crosshair, with lines approximately 3-4 cm long, centered on your mark.
2. Apply Adhesive Tape: Place a strip of clear adhesive tape (about 3-4 cm wide and 4 cm long) over the marked crosshair. If using narrower tape, overlap strips to cover the area. This tape prevents the drill bit from slipping on the smooth tile surface, which can cause irreparable scratches.
3. Initial Drilling (Metal Bit): Insert the 6mm HSS metal drill bit into your drill. Crucially, do NOT engage the hammer function at this stage, as it can chip the tile’s glaze.
   • If using a drill with adjustable speed, start slowly.
   • If variable speed is not available, set the drill to its lowest speed setting or use short, pulsing bursts of power to avoid reaching full speed immediately.
4. Maintain Drill Angle & Cool: Hold the drill perpendicular to the tile surface. Apply moderate pressure. To prevent the drill bit from overheating and becoming dull, cool it periodically by dipping it in cold water.
5. Penetrate Tile Glaze: Continue drilling until you pass through the hard glaze layer of the tile. You may notice a change in the drilling resistance or see different colored dust (often red) as you enter the softer tile body.
6. Switch to Masonry Bit & Engage Hammer Function: Once the glaze is penetrated, switch to the 6mm masonry drill bit. Now, engage the hammer function on your drill.
7. Continue Drilling: Continue drilling at a right angle. Avoid tilting or angling the drill, as this can lead to chipping.
8. Drill to Depth: Drill the hole approximately 0.5-1 cm deeper than the intended length of the dowel.
9. Clean the Hole: Use the upholstery nozzle of a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove all dust from the drilled hole.
10. Insert Dowel & Clean Up: Gently tap the dowel into the tile flush with the surface. Remove the adhesive tape. Clean any remaining pencil or marker lines from the tile surface using a damp cloth, or a cloth with saliva or nail polish remover for felt-tip marks.