After spending too many hours and about £50 putting 10 holes in some ceramic tiles I thought I would share the following:
All 6mm bits; using a corded drill at about 1100 RPM.
1st Purchase - Turbolite - about £8 - Not a diamond drill bit. Comes with a little spray pen type thingy to keep the tip cool. I gave up after about a half an hour before finishing one hole
2nd Purchase - Makita Diamond core bit - about £13 - Comes with a water dispenser that can stick onto smooth finish tiles; but, not anything that has a bit of texture. The water creates quite a mess (which having done wall sawing for a while isn't that much of a problem for me) and is needed as the bit starts smoking the minute the water runs out. I managed four holes; and started another four; but it had lost all the diamonds by then
3rd Purchase - Bosch Diamond core bit - about £25 - dry drill bit; but, has some lubricant in the hollow shaft. The lubricant seemed to be released in a sporadic manner; but, it cut at a good constant speed and was much easier to use rather than fiddling around with water all the time. There was some slight drift; but, after 6 holes, it is still cutting very well
For the two diamond drill bits you need to go in at an angle to start the hole; which is difficult as the bit tries to run away. Although not acceptable, starting the holes was what seemed to finish the Makita bit.
In this case, the more expensive one really seemed to be the best value; but, then only someone on the slope would say that.
DT
All 6mm bits; using a corded drill at about 1100 RPM.
1st Purchase - Turbolite - about £8 - Not a diamond drill bit. Comes with a little spray pen type thingy to keep the tip cool. I gave up after about a half an hour before finishing one hole
2nd Purchase - Makita Diamond core bit - about £13 - Comes with a water dispenser that can stick onto smooth finish tiles; but, not anything that has a bit of texture. The water creates quite a mess (which having done wall sawing for a while isn't that much of a problem for me) and is needed as the bit starts smoking the minute the water runs out. I managed four holes; and started another four; but it had lost all the diamonds by then
3rd Purchase - Bosch Diamond core bit - about £25 - dry drill bit; but, has some lubricant in the hollow shaft. The lubricant seemed to be released in a sporadic manner; but, it cut at a good constant speed and was much easier to use rather than fiddling around with water all the time. There was some slight drift; but, after 6 holes, it is still cutting very well
For the two diamond drill bits you need to go in at an angle to start the hole; which is difficult as the bit tries to run away. Although not acceptable, starting the holes was what seemed to finish the Makita bit.
In this case, the more expensive one really seemed to be the best value; but, then only someone on the slope would say that.
DT