So I have a 3-handle tub faucet.
I'm using 12x12 porcelain tile on the walls in a "stacked block" pattern - very simple. 1/8" spacing.
I'm using a 1-3/8" diamond head hole bit that's made for porcelain (Brutus brand).
And so today I started to try to drill the holes for the 3-handles. . . my tiles keep breaking. These tiles weren't cheap, either, too many more screwed up cuts and I'm suck in for another case.
So I've stopped - I need to figure this out. Why are they breaking?
There are 3 holes I need to drill into one tile - two cracked tiles later I thought that maybe the slightly off center holes were a problem so I reworked this wall so now the holes will be centered. One right in the middle, the other two 1.5" in from the edge of the tile.
But at the last hole it breaks - the entire corner breaks off.
I've gone through countless tiles this way - adjusting my approach each time (redoing the order - outside first, then inside) - same thing - at the last or 2nd hole it breaks. I've tried using less pressure, resulting in a far longer cutting time - I've put the tile on different surfaces (wood, the ground) - break break break.
So my only other idea is to stop trying to stick with the pattern - and for this one area take a strip of tile length cut from a diagonal and then drill the holes in that - and then cut the surrounding tile to fit on the outside.
(see quick-sketch attachment)
I'm frustrated and think this would be great.
Is it stupid? will I just have the same problem?
Any other ideas or solutions let me know please!
I'm using 12x12 porcelain tile on the walls in a "stacked block" pattern - very simple. 1/8" spacing.
I'm using a 1-3/8" diamond head hole bit that's made for porcelain (Brutus brand).
And so today I started to try to drill the holes for the 3-handles. . . my tiles keep breaking. These tiles weren't cheap, either, too many more screwed up cuts and I'm suck in for another case.
So I've stopped - I need to figure this out. Why are they breaking?
There are 3 holes I need to drill into one tile - two cracked tiles later I thought that maybe the slightly off center holes were a problem so I reworked this wall so now the holes will be centered. One right in the middle, the other two 1.5" in from the edge of the tile.
But at the last hole it breaks - the entire corner breaks off.
I've gone through countless tiles this way - adjusting my approach each time (redoing the order - outside first, then inside) - same thing - at the last or 2nd hole it breaks. I've tried using less pressure, resulting in a far longer cutting time - I've put the tile on different surfaces (wood, the ground) - break break break.
So my only other idea is to stop trying to stick with the pattern - and for this one area take a strip of tile length cut from a diagonal and then drill the holes in that - and then cut the surrounding tile to fit on the outside.
(see quick-sketch attachment)
I'm frustrated and think this would be great.
Is it stupid? will I just have the same problem?
Any other ideas or solutions let me know please!