You’ve been set the task of decorating the bathroom but it’s covered in incredible porcelain tile. And the homeowner wants to keep as much of the tile as possible!
Using any old drill bit could cause horrific damage. That is sure to have you in the dog house for quite some time.
Keep yourself out of trouble by knowing the best drill bits for drilling through porcelain tile. We have 5 of the best drill bits for drilling through porcelain tile without causing ludacris amounts of damage.
Whether you are having a shelf on the bathroom wall or giving the sink a makeover, these drill bits will get you through any porcelain job and more.
Read below to find out more!
Table of Contents
Bosch 4 Piece Drill Bit Bundle
If you are wanting everything you could need to drill through porcelain and to complete numerous other jobs then the Bosch 4 Piece Drill Bit Bundle is perfect.
Featuring 4 carbide tipped drill bits with diamond ground cutting edges, a continuous rim diamond blade and a Bulldog Xtreme hammer tile chisel.
Everything you need to get the job done quickly and smoothly.
With a focus on the carbide tipped drill bits with diamond ground cutting edges, they are extremely sharp. Making them perfect for cutting through materials such as porcelain and glass without causing too much damage.
Both the strengthened head and the carbide structure increase reliability in the bits. By preventing cracking, you may prolong the lifespan of your parts and avoid having to replace them any time soon.
The bits are all easy to operate, and since the 5/16-inch and bigger bits have three flat shanks, there is little concern about slippage.
Overall, the Bosch 4 Piece Drill Bit Bundle is effective for both professional and amateur use. All you need is the correct drill and a clear vision of the end product to get things going.
Pros
- Materials: Carbide tipped with diamond ground cutting edges makes the drill bits extremely sharp and precise.
- Efficient: With less effort, it removes material up to 40% faster than traditional tile chisels.
- Value: This bundle includes 4 different sized drill bits, a diamond rim blade, and a Bulldog Xtreme hammer tile chisel. All for an extremely affordable price.
Cons
- Durability: While the drill bits are sharp they may not be durable when drilling into stronger materials such as brick or concrete.
HIGHDRIL Diamond Drill Bits Kit
When beginning to drill into strong yet more temperamental materials such as porcelain or glass, there is a specific drill bit you are going to find more beneficial.
A diamond drill bit. The HIGHDRIL Diamond Drill Bits Kits include everything you need to handle a whole range of materials. Including ceramic, marble, and brick!
Whether you have an electric drill or a traditional hand drill, you can easily use the HIGHDRIL Diamond Drill Bits. Made from high-quality diamond and steel through vacuum-brazed diamond technology, you can drill faster, easier, and smoother.
You can also easily transport your kit from one place to another in the aluminum portable suitcase. This case is designed for simple storage and transportation while protecting your diamond drill bits.
Pros
- Materials: Made from high-quality diamond and steel through vacuum-brazed diamond technology.
- Uses: Drill through ceramic, marble, and brick.
- Storage: The aluminum case allows for easy storage and transportation while keeping the content protected.
Cons
- Drills: The HIGHDRIL drill bits must require an adapter to fit other drills unless using an angle grinder.
- Chipping: Not all of the drill bits reduce chipping and debris.
DKIBBITH 10-Piece Masonry Drill Bit Set
Constructed from premium carbide and reinforced heads, the DKIBBITH 10 Piece Masonry Drill Bit Set is made to be powerful and durable.
With a hex shank, these drill bits can easily fit into various power tools. Meaning you can complete a range of tasks with just 1 set of masonry drill bits.
Designed with a precision-ground spear head, you can be precise when drilling and walking and skating is minimized. The drill bits range in size from ⅛-inch to ⅜-inch making them versatile and extremely effective.
These masonry bits are designed to drill through tough materials such as wood to porcelain. However, they are not created to drill through hard tiles. Meaning that it may take a little more patience to get through the materials.
If you are looking for a set that is made to be precise, strong, and long-lasting then the DKIBBITH 10-Piece Drill Bit Set is essential. With multiple of the same size of drill bit, you will have backups in the event of any damage.
Pros
- Design: Made from premium carbide with a precision-ground spear, reinforced head these masonry bits are extremely precise and durable.
- Size Range: Ranging from ⅛-inch to ⅜-inch there is a bit for every job.
- Hex Shank: Designed with a hex shank bottom, these bits can fit various power tools.
Cons
- Hard Tile: While designed to drill through materials such as porcelain, they are not designed to drill through hard tile.
- Strength: It may take some time drilling for the bits to fully break the surface of the materials.
Hymnorq Glass & Tile Drill Bit Set
The bits in the Hymnorq Glass and Tile Drill Bit Set have an expert, spear-shaped design. The bits’ hex shank is designed to provide a quick release and good holding force in a power drill with minimum slippage.
The bit’s increased efficiency from the carbide tip allows it to handle tougher tasks, including porcelain tile, without breaking the first time.
To increase the durability of the Hymnorq Glass and Tile Drill Bits, they are all treated with an anti-rust black coating.
Providing a professional while increasing the lifespan of the bits. The treatment of anti-rust black coating also allows for smoother cutting without movement.
You may notice that the head is slightly thicker while still pointed. This provides the bit with more precision and stability when drilling harder materials such as brick.
However, when you purchase the Hymnorq Glass and Tile Drill Bit Set you will have to choose a dedicated size of bit. While this may be beneficial for a tradesman, the regular DIY person may require something with more variety.
Pros
- Materials: Made from carbide with a titanium finish and treated with anti-rust black coating ensure that these bits are made to last.
- Water: With water, these bits can easily drill through thick surfaces.
- Hex Shank Bottom: A hex shank button allows for quick release when removing from power drill and less wandering.
Cons
- Size: The set only comes with 1 size of bit.
- Price: Rather expensive for a set of 10 of the same size.
Gunpla Multi-Material Drill Bits Set
These multi-material drill bits are shaped with a small, spade shaped tip which is created to last over numerous uses. The pieces should easily penetrate given their length, so you won’t need to exert any strain.
Made from alloy steel and tungsten carbide dipped tips, these bits are extremely forceful and precise. Although, they must be kept lubricated with water.
The bits allow precision drilling through varied surfaces when properly lubricated, enabling you to complete any task that has to be done.
These are also made to work with a range of electric drills, allowing you to select the one that is most appropriate for your needs.
Working well through materials such as marble, ceramic tile, aluminum, concrete, and wood. You can use the Gunpla Multi-Material Drill Bits for various tasks and can trust they are not going to dull after a few uses.
The plastic storage box is also perfect for keeping your drill bits safe and organized whether they are being stored in a cupboard or are constantly on the move.
Pros
- Materials. Made from premium alloy steel with tungsten dipped tips, these drill bits are designed to be powerful and precise.
- Uses. Drill through various materials such as concrete, wood, glass, and porcelain.
- Price. Extremely affordable for 10 pieces of durable drill bits.
Cons
- Size. Only 6mm drill bits in this set.
- Water. Require constant flow of cool water to prevent the bit from overheating when in use.
Buyers Guide For Best Drill Bits For Porcelain Tile
When looking for the best drill bits to drill through porcelain tile, it can be confusing. With so many different types of drill bits, materials and sizes, it can become confusing really quickly.
We have created this simple buyer’s guide to help make selecting the best drill bit easy.
From the various types of drill bits to the uses of each one, you will know everything you need to know about the best drill bits for cutting through porcelain tile.
Types Of Drill Bits
There are various types of drill bits that can have a variety of uses. However, when it comes to cutting through porcelain tile there are only a small range of drill bits that will be do the job:
- Masonry Drill Bits. These drill bits are often used to drill through bricks, stones, and concrete. Masonry Drill bits are often made from tungsten carbide in order to prevent snapping and breakage. However masonry bits will dull rather quickly meaning they require replacement more often.
- Glass & Tile Bit. These types of drill bits have been especially designed in order to drill through plastic, tiles, glass, marble, and brick. Due to the types of materials that these bits are used on they can also withstand high temperatures compared to other drill bits.
- Diamond Drill Bit. Diamond drill bits are made from real diamond powder. This is then pressed into the steel using extremely high force. As diamond is one of the hardest substances available diamond drill bits have strong cutting power while being precise.
- Multi-Materials Drill Bit. Multi-material drill bits are created to be useful for a wide range of general building materials such as brick, and wood. They are often made from alloy steel and tungsten carbide. Multi- material drill bits can be used in replacement of various other drill bits to make your life simple.
Sizes Of Drill Bits
When drilling a hole on any surface, you should always consider the size of the drill bit you are using.
Regardless of the size of the hole you are wanting to drill, you should always begin with a pilot hole. This is a hole drilled using a smaller drill bit in order to prevent the porcelain from splitting and cracking, This is generally done with an 8mm drill bit or smaller.
Each set of drill bits will come with either a range of sizes or multiples of the one size. However, to drill a hole into a material such as ceramic requires delicacy and precision. This is why a pilot hole is used.
Your kit of drill bits should always contain a range of sizes from as small as 4mm to as large as 400mm. Meaning you will have the correct size of drill bit for every task.
Type Of Drill
With various types of drill bits on the market, there are also different types of drills. The typical DIY home improvement will generally only require the use of one type of drill. However, larger, more professional projects may need more than one type of drill.
We have explained each type of drill and their uses to ensure that you select the best drill bits to connect to your drill.
- Hand Drill. A manual tool with a gear drive is the hand drill or eggbeater drill. When drilling a hole, a rotating handle rotates the drive wheel. The pinion and chuck move in tandem as the wheel rotates. The shank or attached bit turns as a result. This kind of drill is used to make holes in soft wood, soft plastic, and soft metal. A hand drill tends to lack the power required to drill through tougher materials such as brick and porcelain tile.
- Combi Drill. Hard or soft wood, plastic, laminates, etc. can all be drilled into and screwed into with a drill driver. All of these tasks can be completed with a combi-drill, along with drilling into masonry, concrete, and steel. A combi is required if you need to drill through steel or masonry. Combi drills are great as they allow for a variety of speeds and power meaning they are strong enough to drill through concrete but also gentle enough to drill through porcelain without causing it to shatter.
- Hammer Drill. Hammer drills are great for drilling pilot holes before the drilling of a masonry drill bit. They use high action speed to drill holes quickly and effectively with little debris. However, they should not be used on porcelain tile. In virtually all instances, this quick pounding will cause the tile to break. You’ll soon have your hole created if you apply nice, consistent pressure to the drill through the use of a less powerful drill.
How To Drill Through Porcelain Without Cracking
An inexperienced DIY or handyman may find that when they attempt to drill into porcelain it instantly shatters or crack. We have included this simple guide to make sure you can cut into porcelain successfully.
- Using a pencil create your guide marks of where you want the hole to be. You should also create tension by placing a piece of electrical tape on the area you are going to be drilling.
- You are now ready to begin drilling. Ensure there is a constant pressure on the drill although not too much. This can cause the tile to shatter. Begin at a slow pace and slowly build to a quicker speed. You will want to create a smaller pilot hole before changing the drill bit to a larger size.
- Apply Water. When using a cooling system, it should always be topped with cool water.
You have now successfully drilled through porcelain tile without causing it to shatter or crack!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use A Hammer Drill On Porcelain Tile?
When drilling tile, avoid using the hammer drill setting. In virtually all instances, this quick pounding will cause the tile to break.
You’ll soon have your hole created if you apply nice, consistent pressure to the drill. Diamond-tipped hole saws can be used to cut large-diameter holes in ceramic tile.
Is A Special Drill Bit Required To Drill Porcelain Tile?
You’ll need a power drill with a specialized carbide-tipped or diamond-tipped drill bit since drilling through tiles is more difficult than drilling through wood or other soft materials.
You’ll need a power drill with a specialized carbide-tipped or diamond-tipped drill bit since drilling through tiles is more difficult than drilling through wood or other soft materials.
Summary
So whether you are simply putting up a shelf or are needing to do something a little more crafty with your porcelain tile, there is a drill bit for the job.
We have 5 of the best drill bits for drilling through porcelain. All you have to do is choose!
There is also a quick guide on how to drill through porcelain tile successfully for you to check out.
Founder of HandymanGuides.com and self-proclaimed “Mr. Fix-It”, Mike has countless years of experience building and tinkering with everything under the sun. He works as a local repair guy near Santa Monica, CA and when he’s not spackling drywall, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 daughters.
