Ceramic tile

[The Grebe]

We are redoing our shower and we have run into a problem....we changed the faucet fixture and have to cut a hole approximately 4 1/2 inches in a piece of tile.

I tried to find something at HD, like a diamond drill bit, to get started, and some kind of abrasive type cutter and the fella said there is no such animal and it had to be done with a wet saw which we have. We have tried twice and both times the tile broke. Right now we are soaking some in a tub of waater to try to soften them up abit before trying again...any ideas? Thanks.

[gixxer01]

They make a ceramic hole saw for your drill. Biggest I found was a 1.5". Just drill a few holes once all the tile is installed.

[The Grebe]

Excellent idea to add to the mix. Have to cut the holes BEFORE the tile is installed because the plumbing was done before the tile went up. Maybe duct tape the tile to a board and try it that way?

I called one of the tile outlets and asked them if they do custom cutting and they said yes, that they do it with a water jet, but it is pretty expensive? I wonder how much for a 4 1/2 inch hole? $8000.00 maybe?

[CAMAN]

Will the edges of the hole be covered? You can get diamond blades for an angle grinder and plunge that around the perimeter and cut an octagon shape out. Or carefully grind the circle with the grinder and work your way through.

[cavalierowner]

What I have always done is drill a (I think) 3/8" hole in the tile with a masonry bit. Then I use an abrasive round blade (I've always called it a rod saw) thru the hole and attach it to a hacksaw body. Then you GENTLY start sawing away at the tile. How easily it works depends on how soft the tile is. It's very time consuming, but it's worked for me.

[JollyJoker]

You can buy a blade for your jig saw that cuts tile great. Also there are 4" blades for a 4 1/2 electric grinder that are very easy to cut out that circle with. I have purchased both at Menards

[dugnelsonwalleye]

The tile jig saw blades work great especially the Bosch brand and i use a 3/8" dewalt diamond drill bit as a starter hole.

[Snowking]

just bring it to the tile store and pay the man. its not that expensive

[Stratosman]

If the shower fixture has the escutcheon that covers the cut, use an angle grinder with a diamond blade, that's the best way. Can't cut a round hole with a wet saw, square hole yes. I have heard some real head scrathcers from HD people....If it's a exposed cut, gotta find a place with a water jet. You can buy diamond hole saws for that size, but they're gonna run about $150.00.

If i was in your area I'd say drop er off!

[Surface Tension]

Plenty of options mentioned.

Some tile shops will give you a free hole when you purchased the tiles from them.

Even if they charge you it isn't much.

[witgey&water]

Roto-zip makes a tile cuting bit that I have used and it cuts big holes great just remeber to turn down your RPMs.

[Eckie]

Roto-zip also makes a diamond bit that I've used to cut holes in tile. Works well as long as you go slow.