A Bosch Professional cordless drill is drilling into a gray wall.

THE BEST BITS FOR DRILLING TILES

THE BEST WAY TO DRILL THROUGH TILE

The EXPERT HEX-9 HardCeramic drill bit is one of the latest manifestations of our ethos, “The best your tool can get”. With this mission in mind, our Bosch engineers are always striving to find practical solutions that will help tradespeople work better, faster, and more efficiently when drilling into tile.

THE TILE DRILLING REVOLUTION WITH CARBIDE TECHNOLOGY

Advances in carbide tip design mean there is now a much simpler solution. One that can save professionals considerable time and money when working with tile.

A blue drill with a red and white pattern is being described.

No Need for Diamonds or Lubricants

Traditionally, drilling ceramic tile was done with a diamond-tipped drill bit. Diamond is a very hard material, but it is sensitive to heat and pressure, so a complicated system was developed to lubricate and cool the drill bit as it penetrated the material.

DRILLING TILES THE EXPERT WAY

Drilling into ceramic or porcelain tiles is considered among some of the trickiest construction tasks to perform, as tiles can be extremely prone to breakage.

A hand holds a black Bosch cordless drill that is drilling into a wall.

Drill Ceramic Tiles Efficiently

With innovative Bosch Carbide Technology, you can considerably reduce the risk of expensive drilling mistakes. Our carbide drill bits are designed for drilling hard ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles with ease, thanks to a drill bit design that is long-lasting and requires no lubricant or use of tape.

A person is using a blue Bosch cordless screwdriver on a wall.

Drill Ceramic Tiles Without Breaking Them

Ceramics, such as floor and wall tiles, are typically brittle; drill them too aggressively, and they crack. Additionally, many bathroom or kitchen tiles have a shiny glazed surface, making it easy for the drill bit to slip as you try to drive it in. This results in scratching which ruins the tile.

What’s more, fashion trends in home decoration and bathroom designs see the increased installations of bigger and more expensive tiles. This means the ceramic used is harder, thicker, and therefore, tougher to drill. So how can you drill ceramic wall tiles without cracking them? This is where the EXPERT HardCeramic drill bit becomes invaluable.

A craftsman wearing a protective mask is using a Bosch Professional cordless drill.

Use The Right Drill and the Right Bit

To effectively drill into ceramic tiles the EXPERT way, you will need a good rotary drill, a screwdriver/drill, or a rotary and impact driver set only to ‘rotary’. Additionally, you will need the Bosch EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic Drill Bit and some protective clothing, such as gloves, face mask, and safety glasses.

Discover all Bosch tile drill bits

EXPERT HardCeramic

The EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic is the best way to drill a hole in ceramic tile without lubricant or cooling. With incredible efficiency, it lasts up to 10 times longer than our standard CYL-9 Ceramic Drill Bits.

Bosch Expert drill with asymmetric design and active centering tip.

MULTIPLE EDGES, MANY ADVANTAGES

Following extensive research, three radical changes were introduced to make one of the best drill bits for tiles on the market: a fine tip, asymmetric edges, and an open steel stock with maximum support to the carbide element.

The EXPERT HardCeramic drill bit combines Bosch Carbide Technology – an optimum grade of tungsten carbide – with the very latest tip design features. Its multi-faceted shape creates a ‘saw effect’ and shares the workload over several asymmetric faces while the sharp tip enables a precise start without skidding and scratching.

EXPLORE THE BEST EXPERT BITS FOR DRILLING HOLES IN TILES

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FAQ

Interface

What is the best drill bit for drilling into tiles?

To drill effectively into hard ceramic tiles the EXPERT way, you will need the EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic drill bit. A drill or drill driver set to "rotary" is needed when using tile drill bits. Important: You can only use the EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic for tiles. Change to a concrete or masonry drill bit to drill into the masonry underneath.

Alternatively, you can also use diamond dry and diamond wet drill bits, which are normally used for very hard ceramic tiles.

Material

Is a special ceramic drill bit needed to drill into ceramics?

Yes. Tiles are very hard, brittle, fragile and abrasive. A fitted tile may be under stress. Pressure and heat increase the risk of breakage. A tile drill bit is designed to generate as little friction and therefore heat as possible. The drill bit geometry is adapted to the material and requires less pressure to act on the surface.

What is the best drill bit for ceramic tiles?

The Bosch EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic tile drill bit. This bit uses Bosch Carbide Technology and has a special drill bit geometry. It can penetrate through hard tiles quickly, cleanly and efficiently.

Technique

What is the most efficient way to drill through tiles?

Drilling into ceramic tiles is one of the more demanding tasks in the trade. There is always a risk of breakage when working with tiles. However, you can minimise this risk by using the right tile drill bit. The EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic is designed for effortless drilling into hard wall and floor tiles. Coolant and tape are no longer required for spot drilling.

How can ceramic hard tiles be drilled without being broken?

Gently position the centering tip of the EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic on the tile. Start rotating the drill driver slowly. The special centering tip prevents the drill bit from slipping off the tile. Drill to a depth of approx. 1 mm, applying light pressure, then increase the pressure continuously. Increase the speed a little. Ideally, the drill bit should always produce a scratching sound. Then with a little patience, finish drilling the entire hole. If the drill bit starts to whistle, increase the pressure a little. If the whistling is persistent, change the drill bit. A whistling sound indicates that the drill bit is only rubbing against the tile, which creates heat and tension. Whenever possible, remove any drilling dust with a vacuum dust extractor to keep the workplace clean and extend the lifetime of the drill bit.