For the handy folks out there I need a little advice on drilling into tile. whats important to know? What type of drill bit is best?

[meetkitty123]

Okay so to be honest I've been crazy busy lately I need to get a curtain rod

install for my new shower because the one I currently have is only temporary and slides down but I don't have time to be googling and youtubing how to dos right now. I know I am going to have to drill through tile.

I was hoping that maybe some of you could save me time in the researching maybe suggest a good how to vid and tell me which is the best drill bit to use on tile.

This is the drill I currently own:

Im hoping it will be strong enough for the job

So ya suggestions?

[OlderAndWiser]

There are drill bits made specifically for drilling in tile and glass. They are carbide or diamond tipped (the diamonds are industrial grade diamonds, not gem grade, and they are not expensive.) The bit should have a very sharp point on the tip. This helps to keep it from "wandering" when you begin drilling.

Clean the tile and make sure it is very dry, then put making tape over the area where you want to anchor the rod holder. You can use a pencil to mark the location of the first hole. Don't bother wth marking any other locations. Drill the first hole (and it may end up slight offset from where you wanted it; that's why you don't make all three or four holes at once.) Begin with the drill at a relatvely slow speed until the bit breaks through the outer surface of the tile.

If you are using plastic wall anchors, pt one in the hole, then put the holder in place and put a screw through the holder and into the wall anchor. If the screw feels that it is too tight to screw in completely, don't try to force it, because you can crack the tile. If that it the problem, use the next larger size drill bit to elarge the hole in the tile but don't enlarge anything beyond the tile itself; leave the rest of that hole in the wall alone.

Next, mark the second hole. Swing the holder out of the way and drill the second hole. Remove the masking tape, then swing the holder back in place and put a screw in the second hole. Now, if there are other holes to drill, you can just use the holder that's already in place as your guide for drilling any remaining holes.

Hope this helps!

[HighValue]

Try a tension based curtain rod instead. No drilling at all.

https://www.amazon.com/TEECK-Adjustable-Stainless-Anti-Slip-Drilling/dp/B08GKNCRK5/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1BRLW8WDUPC5L&keywords=adjustable%2Bshower%2Bcurtain%2Brod&qid=1663606250&sprefix=adjustable%2Bshower%2Bcurtain%2Brod%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-2-spons&smid=A15476XB7T9DKC&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTk43SklKSVlGS1VLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDg3ODc4MUQyVVZFT0NLOExIWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDY3NDgyT1hWQkZITzRWUjQwJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

TEECK Shower Curtain Rod, 40-73 inch Adjustable Tension Spring, Shower Curtain Rod Tension, Premium Stainless Steel, Anti-Slip, No Drilling, No Rust, for Bathroom, Silver

It is on Amazon for $25

[ohsheeT]

Okay so to be drilling into it that means you want to round hole right the best thing to do is get a diamond tip drill bit depending on what kind of tile depending on what kind of drill bit you might want to use a little bit of water with it depending on the tile if you need to make a square hole you can use a Dremel with a diamond tip cutting blade whatever you do take your time go slow depending on the tile you're going to want to outline the outside of the hole with masking tape so if you press too hard or something you don't ship the tile if you tell me what you're doing I can help you out actually a little bit better

[WindAtMyBack]

There are special drill bits for that, but you can use any masonry bit. Use a sharp punch and lightly tap a tiny dent for your starting location. Otherwise your drill bit will try to wander. If you don't have a punch, try using a sharp nail or screw to mark the spot. Do NOT tap hard or it might crack the tile. You just want a tiny chip in the glazing of the tile. You can also use a sharp knife to make a small X.

If your drill has variable speeds, start with a slow speed and drill very slowly. Add a few drops of water every now and then to help keep the drill bit cool and carry away the debris.

If the hole is large, drill a small pilot hole first. Then switch to the larger bit.

[Red_Arrow]

Looks like this

Tile bit

[Astarlessnightsky]

You need a diamond drillbit, or at least a special ceramic drill bit.

Don't buy cheapest one, go for quality.

No pressure, let the drillbit do the work. Just add enough pressure to make contact.

Tape over the place you want to drill.

Take a break every few milimeters, to prevent overheating.

Don't use the hammer mode, just the rotation. And pay attention to the instructions on the drillbit and the drilling machine, usually its shown on the back and in the manual.

[AMS700CX4u2]

Carbide ceramic bits

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I really feel like taking higher education, along the way, I should also learn some essential skills like carpentry, plumbing, car technical repair, or something like this. It will be a lot more beneficial to me than the engineering degree, I honestly think that now.

[RavVid]

I did an elec eng degree. You don't learn how to do anything in it. You just learn how to calculate stuff. At the end I was depressed by that and felt stupid. BUT you end up earning a lot more, so stick with it. The practical stuff you can learn as you need to.

[LiamSawyer]

You need a carbide tipped drill bit of the proper size.

[Bricealan]

The drill is fine, "Kitty" but make sure you use a "ceramic" drill bit, and you can get that just about anywhere.

BUT BEFORE YOU DO THAT, AND DRILL THE TILE, DO WHAT WE DID. LOOK FOR A SHOWER CURTAIN ROD THAT WILL TIGHTEN AGAINST THE TILE ON EACH END. WE HAVE ONE INSTALLED IN THE 'GUEST BATH' THAT YOU COULD DO 'CHIN UPS' ON, IT IS THAT TIGHT. I DID NOT WANT TO DRILL THE TILE, FOR THE REASONS YOU STATE, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE'SOLID STATE' SHOWER WALL AND NOT TILE, AND DID NOT WANT TO RISK CRACKING IT.

YOU CAN FIND A SHOWER CURTAIN ROD THAT WILL STAY IN PLACE. WE DID.

[Bricealan]

Kitty, if you do drill, go to Home Depot or a hardware store and tell them you are drilling Ceramic tile, hence a ceramic bit.

[Bricealan]

Amazon has a 6-piece set of 'Ceramic Tile Drill bits" for $9 dollars - 6 different size bits if you decide to drill it.

[josephinelcajon]

I would not try drilling the tile even pros can crack a tile very easily causing thousands in damages

[Th3ft]

Good luck!

[Fireguy17]

A hammer drill works the best with a masonry bit.
Put tape over the tile you are drilling through, and go slow.
Your local rental center will have the drill, you will purchase to buy the drill bit.
Once through switch to a smaller regular drill bit to predrill for the screws.
About half the diameter of the screw for the 2nd drill bit.

[RavVid]

Don't use a masonary bit & don't have the drill on hammer. There are tile bits which come to a point - sort of leaf shaped in profile.

You need to know what is behind the tile. Is it concrete or dry wall. That will determine whether you will be using a wall plug (concrete) or an anchor (dry wall).

The pic shows two screw hole on the curtain rod, so you will need to drill those holes at exact that spacing. Use a screw size that has a head larger than the curtain rod screw holes and a shank that is the least diameter so you have some slop (tolerance).

A tile drill bit can skate so i would, after marking the holes, put as much pressure on the drill and give a couple of guns on the drill bit to make it bite into the right spot. Once it has bitten then ease up on the pressure to be light. A lot of people advocate plastic tape on where your are drilling for a neater hole. At least you can mark the holes accurately - masking tape would do.

If there is a concrete wall behind you will need to change to a masonary bit and set the drill to hammer - hopefully yours does have that setting, then drill into the wall through the hole in the tile. It will need to be deep to take the wall plug.

After the first hole check and remeasure for the second in case the drill skated. then repeat for the other side. I would put some silicone sealant over the hole before you put the screws in.

You DO NOT WANT TO drill into pipes or electric cables. Little risk I think but buy a stud finder to be sure. Get a god quality one. The one I bought is shit and I can't trust it.

That is what I would - others can give their techniques.

[Deepinthought345]

It's important to identify the National l masonry drill bit from the wood and metal.

[RavVid]

@Deepinthought345 Absolutely. The hardware store should be able to guide her to the drill bits and screws she needs. I would hope so.

[bowenw]

There are drill bits made for tile that most hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowes should have.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Wish I could help I'm not too keen when it comes to these things

[exitseven]

The drill will be fine , You need to get a special bit that is made for tile.

[Anpu23]

Wrong type of drill, you need a hammer drill and a masonry bit. Otherwise you'll crack the tile.

[Bricealan]

I have used a Ceramic drill, since the tile IS Ceramic, and have drilled ceramic tile and never cracked any tile. We are not drilling concrete, hence not needing a masonry bit.

[Anpu23]

@Bricealan cool

[Makeushiver]

the most important consideration is proper drill bit, often diamond tipped and always marked on tag with bit. I'm assuming its glazed tile which is brittle so another consideration might be drill speed. not may aside from high end tools will have that & its something you can use trigger pressure to emulate. any drill bit, maybe not the real cheap bits, indicates ant special uses it is designed for. if there is no indication it's likely made for wood. After that type of bit comes (often)) metal, masonry, hard metal with the highest end often for glazed tile & glass. if the rotary speed of drill can be adjusted yo want to have drill more slowly as the bits get to more brittle surface. it's worth it to go to an independent or at least neighborhood hardware store. it's a little more expensive than home depot but your likely to find a more knowledgeable staff

[Sparkie460]

I think your drill will be just fine. To drill in ceramic or porcelain you need a quality diamond tip bit. While your drilling, keep spraying the hole with water to keep the bit from getting to hot.

[Staximus]

You drill into the wall above the tile

[Likes2drive]

Most cordless drill’s are enough to do the job with a masonry bit, just don’t use one with the hammer drill setting or you’ll crack the tile