Encyclopedia of fire safety

Drill a hole with a large diameter. Drilling holes in metal: methods, tools, useful tips. Types of products and their features

Upon completion of the wall decoration with tiles, a very important question arises, which drill to drill the tiles with. And even more important is how to drill the tiles on the wall. It should be noted that quite often the laying of the tiles is carried out first, and after that holes are made for switches, sockets and other accessories, such as hangers or fixtures for lockers.

Also, in some cases, experts perform cutting tiles and holes in it in advance. But in each of the situations it is necessary to know the technology for performing work, and most importantly, to choose the right tool.

Before proceeding directly to the selection of tools and the drilling process itself, one difficulty of the work should be noted. It lies in the fact that the tile is quite fragile, and therefore can easily crack. That is why you need to choose carefully right tool and strictly follow the technological recommendations for the work.

Choosing a tile drilling tool

Accordingly, the first issue that needs to be given great attention is how to drill ceramic tiles. There are several requirements that a working tool must meet:

  1. First of all, it should be possible to control the speed of rotation of the drill.
  2. Also an important factor is the control of pressure (pressure) on the surface.

Thus, it can be noted that any tool with perforation elements will not work.

A very good option would be a screwdriver, while at a low speed. Also important is the complete absence of vibration or jerky movement.

The second type of tool that can be used is a variable speed drill.

As previously mentioned, the use of any percussion instrument is prohibited. Those. any perforators or impact drills must be strictly excluded from the working tool.

It is allowed to use an impact tool only for walls, respectively, after the tile has been drilled.

Tile drills, their brands and purpose

The next question is which drill to drill the tiles with. Here it all depends on a number of factors, in particular:

  1. What size hole do you need.
  2. When drilling is carried out, before or after laying (also read more)
  3. Also, the choice to a certain extent will depend on the amount of work.

Let's take a closer look at which drill to drill tile in different situations. In particular, if the tile is laid, or before it is laid, and also, if necessary, to make a small hole or a large one.

How to make holes in an already laid tile

Small diameter holes

In the case of a small one, which is provided, for example, for dowels or shelf mounts, a spear-shaped drill would be a good option. An important factor in this case, the density of the material becomes, since this indicator for a drill should be several times higher than for a tile.

The best, but at the same time the most expensive option for such a product, is a diamond drill. But we note that it is best to purchase it for a large amount of work. In order to make several holes, such a purchase is impractical.

For the home, you can buy inexpensive drills with victorious soldering. They will be enough. In particular, the following brands are suitable for work:

  1. Biber 7705
  2. Bosch CYL-9
  3. Bosch CYL-9
  4. Irwin
  5. stayer
  6. Makita
  7. "Bison"

These are the highest quality and most popular brands of spear drills. The average cost of one drill is 150-200 rubles.

Large diameter hole

And the second question, for the already laid tiles, is which drill to drill the tiles to install the outlet. Here the task is to make big hole, and you need to think hard about it.

Fortunately, everything has already been thought of for you, and all that remains is to follow the advice. Thus, the answer to the question of which drill to drill the tile in this case is simple - this is a crown.

It is a kind of tubular drill with an additional diamond coating. good option will be the acquisition of a whole set of such drills, for making holes of different diameters.

Although such an acquisition will be an excellent solution, it should be noted that this type of accessory is quite expensive. Although at the same time it helps to significantly save energy, while getting the best result.

Using this type of drill, in the end, you can make quite large holes, up to 15 centimeters. Here we stop a little, and pay attention to a few rules that must be observed when working with this kind of equipment.

  1. First of all, you need to work at minimum speed. This helps to protect the tile from cracking and also prevents rapid wear of the cutting part of the drill.
  2. And the second rule is the need for constant cooling of the drill, for which it is recommended to periodically lower it into the water.

We also offer for consideration several of the highest quality brands of diamond crowns for tiles:

  1. Diamond for Hard Ceramics Bosch 2608580304
  2. Diamond for Hard Ceramics Bosch 2608580306
  3. Diamond for Hard Ceramics Bosch 2608580302

These crowns are presented by one manufacturer, in particular, by Bosch. The cost of such a drill varies from 1500 to 5000 rubles.

Drill bits for unplaced tiles

And the second option, when you need to drill a hole in ceramic tiles, becomes preparation for styling. Here, the need to make holes usually arises in two situations:

  1. Advance preparation of holes for communication systems, sockets, and fasteners.
  2. Laying tiles in the presence of pipes and communication systems in the wall that protrude. Provided that there is no possibility of their temporary dismantling.

Here you can also consider several types of drills, in the first case for large holes, in the second - for small ones. But we note that for the second situation, the same devices are used as for the already laid tiles, but for a larger diameter, a slightly different drill is used.

In this case, in the absence of the opportunity to purchase expensive equipment, a special type of drill - "ballerina" finds its application.

To begin with, let's figure out a little what a "ballerina" is. By its design, it is quite simple, and somewhat reminiscent of a compass. The system of action is also similar. A point is placed in the center of the intended hole, and the cutter moves away to the required distance.

The cutter itself is made of a special hard alloy, in some more expensive models there is a diamond coating.

The use of this kind of device is good advantage. It consists in the possibility of adjusting the diameter of the hole. In particular, this allows you not to buy several models with different diameters, as you have to do in the case of a crown.

You can also notice a few disadvantages:

  1. First of all, difficulties in working, since the drill must be held strictly perpendicular to the tile, which is very difficult when working with large holes.
  2. In addition, after drilling, additional refinement and processing of the edges is required, since they do not always turn out to be perfectly even.

Otherwise, there are still a lot of advantages, such as durability, low cost, and most importantly, a good answer to the question of how to drill holes in a tile.

Speaking a little about preparing tiles for such processing, it should be noted that it must be kept in water for 30-40 minutes before drilling begins. The work itself is carried out with small revolutions, and the tile must be held firmly. In addition, this work generates a lot of debris and dust, so it is advisable to use gloves, a respirator and goggles.

Ceramic tile drilling technology

And now, after analyzing the question of choosing a tool, you can go directly to solving the problem of how to drill tiles in the bathroom. In particular, we will analyze the technology of work.

Drilling a tile with a drill is not a difficult task, but quite painstaking. Here it is important to follow a number of rules in order not to damage the tile. In particular:

  1. The work is carried out strictly at a low speed of rotation of the cartridge.
  2. When drilling, the tool must not be pressed strongly, it is better to reduce the pressure to a minimum at all, in order to avoid breakage of the tile.
  3. It is necessary to monitor the temperature of the drill, it should not be heated. Otherwise, under the influence of elevated temperature, the tile may crack. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically cool it with water.

Now, having considered the basic rules, we will analyze the question of how to drill tiles correctly. Let's do it in the form of step-by-step instructions.

An important role is played by the tile itself, which is supposed to be drilled. In particular, its surface. For the most part, glazed material is used in the premises. On this basis, the drill very often slips and moves out.

To avoid this problem, it is necessary to initially clearly fix it, for which the following measures are taken:


After eliminating the problem with the possible slippage of the drill, you can begin the process itself:

  1. We slightly press the end of the drill to the surface of the tile and start drilling.
  2. Everything is done, as already mentioned, at minimum speed.
  3. After the tile has been drilled, you can take it for further work conventional drill or a puncher to make a hole in the wall.
  4. Upon completion of the work, it is desirable to grind uneven cut holes. For this you can take thin drill finished with sandpaper.

This completes the process. At the same time, it doesn’t matter with which drill to drill the tile, for a large hole or a small one, technological features match in both cases. The only difference is the need to securely fasten the tiles when drilling before laying.

Video: How to drill tiles. 0974288408 Kyiv. Master class from the hole master

Today everyone has home master available essential tool for metal cutting, drilling, stripping. But what if you need to drill a hole large diameter? After all, the maximum cross section of a conventional drill for a hand-held electric drill is only 20 mm.

Tools for drilling large holes

There are several ways to drill a hole with a diameter of more than 20 mm. For this, special devices are used:

  • Cone drill. A large number of holes of the same size cannot be drilled. But for home use quite acceptable. The maximum section is up to 40 mm. The thickness of the processed metal is 5-6 mm.
  • Cone step drill. It is more convenient to use, since each of its steps is formed by a smooth spiral transition. When drilling, this makes it easy to track the actual diameter of the hole. With it, you can drill a circle up to 40 mm in diameter on metal up to 6 mm thick.
  • Bimetal crowns - suitable for preparing holes up to 109 mm in steel products up to 5 mm thick. When working, it is strongly recommended to use specialized lubricants and coolants, which will ensure maximum service life. cutting tool. Also, an adapter is required to install the device on an electric drill. On average, 5-20 openings can be drilled with a bimetallic crown, depending on its quality, which, accordingly, is reflected in the cost.

How can you drill a large hole at no extra cost?

For this method, you will need a small section drill (5-6 mm is enough), as well as a milling cutter or a used grinding wheel (corresponding or slightly smaller diameter holes) for the grinder. The option is more laborious, so it takes much more time.

2 circles are marked on a metal blank with a pencil:

  • 1 - for the future hole.
  • 2 - depends on the cross section of the drill, that is, when using a 6 mm tool, the diameter of the intended circle will be 6 mm less than the previous one.

On the 2nd circle, it is necessary to punch 2 places in opposite places and drill holes with a 6 mm drill. From the received openings along the intended line, you need to retreat about 3 mm and again mark the places for drilling. Holes are drilled along the contour of the entire circle. If necessary, the remaining sections can be chopped with a chisel.

The hole will be jagged, so it needs to be bored out. This can be done with an electric drill with a milling cutter, but it is much more convenient with a grinder using grinding abrasive wheels of a suitable diameter. With a grinder, you can quickly and evenly bore a hole to the required diameter.

Therefore, do not throw away spent abrasive wheels for a grinder with a diameter of even less than 45 mm - they can always come in handy on the farm.

Metal processing is carried out not only in industrial conditions. While doing repair work by car, fabrication of structures on personal plot or carrying out repairs to the home, it is necessary to drill holes in the metal. At home, a hand drill is most often used.

This universal tool requires certain skills in working with solid products. You can purchase or make your own machine for drilling holes in metal, but this is not a cheap pleasure.

The technology of drilling holes in metal consists in removing a thin layer of material due to simultaneous translational and rotational motion.

The main condition for high-quality and safe (for the tool) processing is holding the chuck axis in a fixed position. With the help of the machine it is easy to maintain straightness, which cannot be said when working with a hand tool.

If you are not sure about the firmness of your hands (this is normal for ordinary person), drilling at a right angle requires mechanical assistants (jigs).

Immediately make a reservation that additional conductors are required only when the thickness of the metal exceeds the diameter of the drill.

If you're making a hole in a thin steel plate, straightness doesn't matter.

There are several types of hand drill guides. Power tools are not well suited for metal work, especially when it comes to precision.

  1. Drilling guide. Made in the form of a body, easy to hold, inside of which there are guide bushings for drills of various diameters.

  2. The material of the sleeves is harder than the tool, so the holes do not wear out. By installing the jig exactly above the center of the intended hole, you don’t have to worry that the drill will “take away” from the given direction.

    This device is especially useful when drilling perpendicular holes in pipes of small diameter, when the tip tends to slip off the cylindrical surface.

  3. Drill guide (manual). Support device in which the tool is fixed by the neck

  4. The sole is placed on the workpiece, holding the handle with the second hand. The drill moves strictly vertically, avoiding distortions and drifts of the drill.

    The design can have an angle holder for pipes of small diameter, which makes the fixture more versatile.

    With a swivel mechanism, you also get a device for drilling holes at an angle.


    True, the metal cannot be drilled in this way, lateral loads will quickly break the drill.

  5. Drill stand (semi-stationary). In fact, it is an inexpensive alternative drilling machine.

All photos from the article

If you need to make a large diameter hole in a tree, then you will have to use special tools, each of which has its own characteristics. We will consider everything possible options and tell you about their main advantages and disadvantages so that you can choose best option in accordance with the specifics of the work in a given situation.

Criteria for choosing a quality option

Below we will consider the main types of fixtures, but for now we will indicate the criteria that any option must meet, regardless of its modification:

Reliable manufacturing material Of course, it is unlikely that this criterion will be determined by eye, so it is best to ask the seller for a quality certificate for the product. Unreliable counterfeit variants from China most often do not have any documents.
Quality performance Carefully examine the product: the surface must be smooth without flaws and defects, the cutting part must be carefully sharpened. If you are purchasing a wood drill great length- check if it is even, this can be done by eye or by rolling it on flat surface- any violations are immediately visible on it.
good packaging Low-quality fakes are most often packed somehow, moreover, there are errors in the words. No well-known brand will allow itself a nondescript packaging, remember this.
Price Price is also an indicator of quality, as a rule, the most budget options are short-lived, especially when it comes to drills and fixtures. big size. After all, they are subjected to very high loads in the process.

Advice! To make sure you get quality product, whether it be, you need to contact the official representatives of a particular brand or buy products in well-known stores that care about their reputation and do not sell cheap fakes.

Types of products and their features

Consider what options can be found in our trading network and how they differ from each other.

Fountain drills

The most common and a budget option, which is quite convenient to work even for inexperienced craftsmen. And you can also master this simple process with your own hands.

Consider the main advantages of this solution:

  • The range of diameters varies from 10 to 60 mm.
  • The work is done quite quickly, but at the same time the quality of the hole is low, it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve an ideal result.
  • The maximum drilling depth is approximately 150 mm.
  • Products are sold either in sets of 5-6 pieces or individually, so you decide which option suits you.
  • If necessary, you can buy an extension that clamps the drill and increases its length by 300 mm.

Large sizes are usually sold individually, small sizes are sold in sets.

It is impossible not to touch such interesting option, like an adjustable spade drill, this type of product can make holes with a diameter of 22 to 76 mm. Work is carried out at low speed using a fairly powerful power tool.

Now drilling large diameter holes in metal is not a serious problem.. The main thing is to prepare well. Let's say you need to make a hole in a corner, channel or mortgage to strengthen building structure or hang a shelf, lamp or piping. That is, to carry out this not in the conditions of a workshop or workshop, but directly on the spot. The easiest way to drill in such conditions is to use an electric drill. But, imagine how much pressure you need to apply to it in order to drill a hole with a diameter of 16 or 20 mm? The question is not rhetorical - the effort will be about 40-50 kgf. This is not at all easy to ensure if the intended hole is located above the shoulder level of the driller. Even 10 years ago, when such a task arose, even professionals resorted to autogen and, just imagine, to drilling small holes around the circumference of a large one. Today, there is a completely professional solution for this - core drilling, which ensures the production of holes according to 11 grades.

However, many are sure that core drilling is a rather expensive method, economically viable only with industrial volumes. Is such a statement true? Partly. To date, you can choose from several options for tools and equipment for drilling holes in metal of large diameter without reaming. At the same time, the cost per hole will be justified even when drilling only a few holes.

Consider, what tool options for drilling through holes of large diameter in metal does the market offer. For comparison, we take a diameter of 51 mm.

First, this bimetallic crowns. The choice includes samples from the cheapest, which are immediately sold in sets and cannot be accepted by us in this review for the reason that their purpose is to drill wood, and if they manage to drill a sheet of metal, it will be no thicker than 0.5 mm . At a price of 240 rubles, products with a wall thickness of 1-1.2 mm start, often it is labeled HSS -Co 5% and even HSS -Co 8, but judging by the fact that drilling one hole in stainless steel takes more than one such crowns, cobalt is probably not there at all. twice as expensive crowns of more decent quality, really allowing you to drill stainless steel and ordinary steel a few millimeters thick. Bimetal crowns this level allows you to drill 5-20 holes in a steel sheet with a thickness of 5 mm. At the same time, the use of any lubricating-cooling composition ensures the achievement top bar this range. At the third stage there are bimetallic crowns of world-famous brands, which are twice as expensive, can be equipped with special devices for quick change in a drill, but do not exceed the average price level by much or at all.

Drilling large holes in steel sheets more than 5-6 mm thick for bimetallic crowns is a great difficulty, although sometimes you can hear a different opinion. It is based on data on the total drilling depth of such crowns - 35-38 mm. As a rule, only sellers of bimetallic crowns, who do not have a more worthy tool in their assortment, risk advising to drill a 30 mm sheet or beam in this way. The fact is that the bimetallic crown is devoid of a chip removal groove, and as soon as the thickness of the drilled metal becomes greater than the height of the tooth of the crown, problems with chip removal begin. In addition, the body of the bimetal bit is not quite cylindrical shape, this causes jamming in the metal of solid thickness.

Unlike bimetallic crowns, they provide more accurate drilling. The body of the carbide hole saw is chiselled, while the bi-metal hole saw is rolled from a band and welded into a ring. There are several types of carbide drill bit designs. Without delving into the types of shanks and types of attachment, we will analyze only the cutting part. The most expensive part of the crown is the carbide teeth. The quality of the material greatly affects the drilling speed, impact resistance, bit life and the ability to drill alloyed steels with a high chromium content.

The second feature that you need to pay attention to is the shape of the tooth and its size. For drilling thin sheet steel, thin stainless steel and non-ferrous metals, a narrow tooth with a flat profile, slightly beveled inward, is used. Such crowns also do not have a chip-removing groove, and they will not be able to drill metal thicker than the height of their tooth. The price of such crowns is two to three times higher than that of bimetallic crowns, depending on the design of their body, they can be designed or. Since these are professional samples, fakes are not common at present, and almost all samples found on the market are of acceptable quality, but excellent quality should be chosen from manufacturers specializing in these products.

Thicker metal can be drilled. In such crowns, every second or, as a rule, one of three consecutive carbide teeth is sharpened in its own way. This provides soft cutting, no vibration, reduced load on the cutting edges and, as a result, an increase in the resource of the crown. In such crowns, there is a short or long chip removal groove, almost the entire height of the wall. The first version of the crowns allows you to drill metal up to 12 mm thick, and up to 25 mm. It is this version of the tool for drilling holes in large-diameter metal that is the most progressive, providing better performance and quality. The price of such crowns is 20-30% higher than that of thin-walled ones and in absolute terms is 1880-1910 rubles, as we agreed, for a crown with a diameter of 51 mm. As elsewhere in nature, there are deviations in one direction or another up to 2 times, but, as usual, to consider builds a golden mean.

An option in which the metal is quite thick, say 10 mm, and the hole diameter is 20-25 mm can be solved. It is recommended as a drive, but you can also use an electric drill. With the mentioned machine, investments will amount to 21,164 rubles without VAT, and with a drill - 5,000 - 5,500 thousand.

For a hole with a diameter of 50-60 mm, with such a metal thickness, the use of a magnetic or stationary drilling machine is clearly required. A large load causes a high cost of investing in equipment, and together with a crown it will be about 56,000 rubles, or, alternatively, with magnetic drill stand and a separately purchased drill about 50,000. Drilling such holes with a drill from your hands is not only difficult, but also dangerous.

Drilling large-diameter holes in metal up to 5 mm thick with a hand-held electric drill is not difficult when using both bi-metal and carbide drill bits. The choice of tool is made depending on the required accuracy. When drilling holes with a bimetallic crown, the ovality of the holes and the increase in diameter from the desired one can reach 4% or in absolute terms - 2 - 3 mm. When drilling with a carbide crown - only 0.6 - 1 mm. In addition, all carbide drill bits presented in the review, and almost all metal drill bits available on the market, also drill stainless steel.

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