Cordless Drills > Cordless Drills Information > Tile Drill Bits

Tile Drill Bits

Tile is a difficult material to drill holes into for a number of reasons. Porcelain or ceramic tile can be 30% harder than granite, yet is extremely prone to cracking. Therefore drilling into tile of any sort requires special tile drill bits. Drill bits for glass and tile usually have a spear-shaped tungsten carbide tip. The spear-shape, with its distinctive narrow point and straight, smooth shaft reduces cracking and chipping and produces straight, clean holes. The carbide alloy is extremely tough and increases the life of the bit significantly. When using porcelain tile drill bits or ceramic tile drill bits it is important to use lubrication in order to keep the tip of the bit cool. This is doubly true if using crown bits for ceramic tile. Turpentine is a particularly effective lubricant.

Tile drill bits can be used in hand drills, but are the most effective in a variable speed drill at low RPM.