Problem solving for Plumbers, Electricians and DIY enthusiasts when making either round or square holes in Ceramic, Porcelain, Granite or Marble Tiles.
Drilling a tile of any type is probably one of the most difficult operations to be undertaken by a tradesman.
The kitchen and bathroom are where most of the hole drilling in tiles is carried out since these are generally the areas where most water connections and fittings are required!
We should distinguish between the shape of the hole required.
Round holes allow the passage of pipes and cables, plus wall plugs for the screws which are used to mount the accessories. In these cases the hole size required could range from 5mm to 120mm!
Square holes are necessary where sockets, junction boxes or cabinets of various sizes need to be fitted.
In the case of drilling round holes – this operation is usually easier to carry out and the Tiler may have many different makes of Drill or Core Bit at his disposal. With careful consideration to the type of tile to be drilled the drilling operation may often be carried out dry in a soft ceramic tile or in the case of a hard Porcelain or Granite Tile water should be used to keep the drill bit cool. These methods allow for precise drilling.
However a square hole requirement in a Tile can be a major dilemma for the Installer!
Cutting square holes can be achieved in two ways.
Firstly dry cutting, depending on the type of tile material, could be carried out with the aid of a special ultra thin 115mm diamond blade fitted in an angle grinder.
Secondly, again depending on the type of tile, wet plunge cutting is another option using an Electric Tile Saw and suitable wet use Diamond Blade.
Apart from plumbers, electricians and tilers having the necessary expertise and skill it is also important they are made aware that a square cut hole in any type of tile may increase the risk or chance of cracks emanating from the square point of the hole. These cracks may be induced because of the drying out process or settling of building or land.
Hello Matteo
I find your corporative blog very useful. Videos of how to use tile cutters and other tools are great. I am writing this, because I have a suggestion. You sell your tools all over the world. Your buyers are mostly professional ceramic tile setters. It would be nice to have a meting point, where all those fine masters of craft from all over the world could meet and share their working experience. The form of such meeting point could be consisted of photo gallery, where tiler could present his work, those more ambitious could write their own photo blog, and of course, it would be nice to have a forum. I agree, there already exist such sites on the Internet. But all of them are orientated locally. You have a great potential to establish such a site of global dimensions. Me myself write a photo blog on Slovenian building forum for three years now. I have a step-by-step approach with lots of fotos. I intend to translate it in English and move this English version somewhere, where more people can find it. Here is link to my blog: http://www.podsvojostreho.net/vsebina/spletniki/terakota
Since I write this blog, I have more clients and spend less (in fact, I spend hardly any) money on advertising. Photo blog is the best promoter of what I do. So, if you maybe once decide to establish such a site, I would be very interested, to put English version of my blog on it.
With best wishes, Joze
Ciao Joze, grazie for your feedback
it is a good idea. We will think on it in the next week.
Congratualtion for your forum!
ps. we will wait for you here in Cantello.
Ciao
For al you guys who read this comments and don’t know, what is going on here. Montolit staff found my photo blog on the Internet. They liked it and sent me an E-mail, inviting me to visit their production plants in Italy. I was more than glad to except this invitation. I use Montolit tile cutters and other tools on daily bases (I belive, many of you do jour jobs using Montolit tools as well). They also informed me about this corporate blog, they are writing.
Is it not the Internet a great thing?
I’m looking forward to meet you personally, Joze