pete424
Premium Member
join:2001-03-09
Andover, KS |
pete424
Premium Member
2011-Sep-24 6:22 pm
drilling through ceramic tileWell, I got the electrical work for my built-in microwave professionally done and it will be a on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. I have the new 12" overhead cabinet installed and I am about to mount the microwave. This microwave has a bracket that mounts on the wall with tabs that slip into the back lower edge of the microwave. Then it hangs from overhead cabinet with 3 machine screws. The back splash behind the stove extends up beyond the bottom of the microwave. How difficult would it be to drill the holes to mount the bracket through this 4 inch ceramic tile? I sure don't want to pull out the tile. |
|
 robbin
Mod
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX |
robbin
Mod
2011-Sep-24 6:27 pm
Not a big problem. It would help if you posted a pic of the tile to help determine the hardness. Be careful of using a hammer drill if you can help it. |
|
pete424
Premium Member
join:2001-03-09
Andover, KS |
pete424
Premium Member
2011-Sep-24 6:38 pm
The bracket will be about the middle of the top full course of tile. |
|
 dosdoxies
Premium Member
join:2004-12-15
Wallingford, PA |
to pete424
I've used these on tile with much success. Just go slow. » www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N ··· Id=10053 |
|
seederjed
Premium Member
join:2005-02-28
Norcross, GA |
to pete424
They make a bit specifically for drilling tile - avail. at HD. It's also available in 1/2" » www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N ··· Id=10053 |
|
robbin
Mod
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX |
to pete424
That tile is easy to drill. Just use a new, regular masonry bit with a regular drill. |
|
 mityfowl
Premium Member
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX |
to pete424
I've used and would recommend one of the ceramic/tile bits.
Put a piece of tape over the area that you are drilling. |
|
 ArthurSWatch Those Blinking Lights
Premium Member
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON |
to pete424
Hitachi makes a suction cup water reservoir that drips water onto the tile drill bit while the hole is being drilled. Works like a champ! The key is to drill slow and keep the drill bit cool. |
|
robbin
Mod
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX |
robbin
Mod
2011-Sep-24 7:28 pm
Those are great for drilling through porcelain and other really hard tiles. That is standard bath tile and the glaze is thin as well as the bisque being fairly soft. For a couple of holes, all that is needed is a masonry bit.. |
|
HarryH3
Premium Member
join:2005-02-21 |
to pete424
A die grinder with a 1/4-inch carbide burr will cut through that tile like butter.  |
|
 The PigI know you want to be me
Premium Member
join:2009-09-11 |
to mityfowl
said by mityfowl:I've used and would recommend one of the ceramic/tile bits.
Put a piece of DUCT tape over the area that you are drilling.
 |
|
|
 macsierra8Baby Newfoundland
Premium Member
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV |
to HarryH3
said by HarryH3:A die grinder with a 1/4-inch carbide burr will cut through that tile like butter.
+1 |
|
| |
to pete424
I have used masonary drills many times on ceramic tile. Besides the tape suggestion, I vaguely recall using a small sharp finishing nail with a very, very light tap to the tile first to penetrate the glaze so that the drill bit does not wander when starting the hole. |
|
 Msradell
Premium Member
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY |
to HarryH3
said by HarryH3:A die grinder with a 1/4-inch carbide burr will cut through that tile like butter. +2 |
|
| |
to pete424
I can't tell by the picture, but how will you keep it flush against the wall with the step created by the tile edge?
|
|
 Dennis
Mod
join:2001-01-26
Algonquin, IL |
Dennis
Mod
2011-Sep-25 2:23 pm
said by mattmag:I can't tell by the picture, but how will you keep it flush against the wall with the step created by the tile edge?
Good question. I was wondering the same. Any old masonry drill bit will be fine (with tape as others have said) 4" off the shelf tile is the easiest to cut. |
|
pete424
Premium Member
join:2001-03-09
Andover, KS |
pete424
Premium Member
2011-Sep-25 3:21 pm
I am going to put a piece of 1/4" lath or furring strip on the wall above the tile. |
|
| |
to sempergoofy
said by sempergoofy:I have used masonary drills many times on ceramic tile. Besides the tape suggestion, I vaguely recall using a small sharp finishing nail with a very, very light tap to the tile first to penetrate the glaze so that the drill bit does not wander when starting the hole.
I've used a drill bit with the drill in reverse for that same effect. |
|
| |
to pete424
How much was the electrician bill? |
|
1 edit |
to sempergoofy
Before | 
After |
said by sempergoofy:I have used masonary drills many times on ceramic tile. Besides the tape suggestion, I vaguely recall using a small sharp finishing nail with a very, very light tap to the tile first to penetrate the glaze so that the drill bit does not wander when starting the hole.
That's how I did it earlier this year. I used a scratch awl with a hammer to penetrate the glaze and start the hole. Drill bit » www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N ··· Id=10053Anchors » www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N ··· Id=10053 |
|
 cdruGo Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN |
to mattmag
said by mattmag:I can't tell by the picture, but how will you keep it flush against the wall with the step created by the tile edge?
If it's anything like my OTR microwave, it's not a problem. There is a support bar that would attach to the tile that supports the bottom rear of the unit. Then screws are attached from the cabinet above to support the front top. The area behind the unit that is untiled is just empty space. There is no fastening at the top of the back that would pull the top of the unit towards the wall. |
|
| |
said by cdru:said by mattmag:I can't tell by the picture, but how will you keep it flush against the wall with the step created by the tile edge?
If it's anything like my OTR microwave, it's not a problem. There is a support bar that would attach to the tile that supports the bottom rear of the unit. Then screws are attached from the cabinet above to support the front top. The area behind the unit that is untiled is just empty space. There is no fastening at the top of the back that would pull the top of the unit towards the wall. That's how mine was as well. You attached the bracket to the wall with 4-6 screws. Next you place the bottom of the microwave and attach it to the bracket then you push the microwave into place. Lastly you screw in 2 bolts from above into the microwave to secure it to the cabinet above. When all said and done the microwave it just hooked to the bottom of the bracket and the cabinet above. |
|
