In the process of renovating the kitchen and bathroom. toilet or other rooms where tiles are laid, it may be necessary to make a hole, for example, for sockets or pipes. In this case, it is very useful to know how to do this and what tools are needed for this.

Methods for cutting holes in tiles

To begin with, you should know that holes in the wall for sockets should be made before tiling. Places for the socket box can be hollowed out either with a hammer drill (first we drill according to the diameter, then we knock it out) or with a special crown for drilling round holes. Install socket boxes.

Nuances when cutting tiles for sockets

There are several nuances to cutting ceramic tiles. If you cut tiles using a glass cutter or tile cutter, then this must be done exclusively from the front side, since otherwise chips will appear on the front side of the tile and it will look unsightly.

It is necessary to drill the tile from both sides, so that the junction of the holes is inside the tile. To do this, just mark the tiles on both sides, attach the socket box and trace it. Now you already know where to make the hole. And now it's time for the most difficult part: making a hole in the tile for the socket.

Making a hole using tungsten string

Usually such a string can be purchased at any hardware store. It is installed instead cutting blade into the saw. If the socket is located inside the surface of the tile, then before using a wire to cut ceramics, you should drill a hole in the measured area. Next, pass the string there and make a cut along the specified boundary. The result should be a smooth hole in the tile for the socket.

In my opinion this is the most convenient way, in which the probability of tile splitting is very small. Minus this method is that you will have to put in a lot of effort, especially if you need to make a lot of such holes. For industrial scale This method definitely won't work.

Crown for cutting holes in tiles for rosettes

Such crowns are quite convenient to use, especially if the tiles are large. It is enough to install the bit on the drill and drill a hole at low speed in 1-2 minutes. It is advisable to wet the tile with water while drilling. Unfortunately, such a crown is not always available in stores, and there is no point in purchasing it for drilling one or two holes.

Using a ballerina to cut holes in tiles

The so-called "ballerina" is a combination of a drill and two (or one) cutters that rotate with the drill (around the drill). This way you can set the diameter of the circle and drill a hole of any size. A very convenient tool.

Hole using glass cutter and wire cutters

If you don’t have any of the above, then you can use the old and proven method: wire cutters and a glass cutter. But this requires skill. The most important thing is to correctly mark the cutting areas. The circle must be divided into at least eight equal parts. This can be done by eye. After this, the glass cutter makes cuts along the marked lines within the circle. Next, a hole is drilled in the center and the first piece is carefully broken out. Instead of a glass cutter, you can use a grinder with a small disk.

If you make only two cuts in the tile, then when you break it out, it will most likely split in two. Be careful. You should bite off the edges from the back of the tile so that the chips are invisible.

Good luck with the renovation.

If you need to make repairs in one apartment, buy a cheap crown without diamond coating with Pobedit teeth (see photo) for $8-15. Such a crown is quite enough to drill 20-50 holes normally. Of course, the bits are intended for hammer drills, but they can be inserted normally into a drill, the main thing is to clamp them better. The tiles must be laid on a flat, non-hard surface, preferably a wooden one. Diameter standard installation box for a socket or switch - 65 mm, but the diameter of the crown depends on the manufacturer and can be 65, 66 or even 68 mm. However of great importance it doesn't have.

For best quality You can use a tripod for a drill.

2. Drill with a drill (a hammer drill in drill mode) with a special diamond-coated bit.

It will take you longer to drill a hole this way, but the results will be much better. The tile almost never breaks and the chips along the edges of the hole are small. The newer the crown, the better result and the less time you will need. There is no need to press hard on the drill; if the crown is normal, you will wipe out the hole in 2-5 minutes.

Marking and drilling are done from the front side of the tile.

3. Drill with a circular drill (nibblers) on the tiles - “ballerina”.

This method is suitable if you need to drill 10-20 holes. The “ballerina” can’t stand any more, and in general it can immediately bend - it depends on the model and the quality of the metal. But the price of a “ballerina” is not high - $2-10. Ballerinas look like this:

You need to drill carefully without shaking the drill too much, but if you have a tripod for the drill, then that’s absolutely fine.

4. A crown saw (hole saw) with carbide tips.

The main disadvantage is the high price of hole saws with carbide tips - $40-60, which is not much cheaper than diamond bits. The crowns look like this:

For better quality, you can use a drill tripod.

5. Drill with a drill (with a hammer drill in drill mode).

This method is suitable if you don’t have a crown or you don’t want to buy one. This is the longest method in terms of time. Place the box on the tile and outline it with a black marker or with a simple pencil, if the tile is not glossy. Drill about 20 holes with a diameter of 6-8 mm, as shown in the figure (the edge of the drilled holes should extend 1-2 mm beyond the line). Carefully knock out the middle and remove the remaining teeth using pliers:

Marking and drilling are done from the front side of the tile.

6. Cut with a diamond blade.

The method I use most often, especially when a switch or socket hits not one, but two tiles and using a crown is impossible. If the switch falls on one tile, drill 1 hole with a diameter of 10-12 mm, so that the edge of the drilled hole does not reach the 1-2 mm line. Paste into drilled hole blade and then secure the blade to a hacksaw. The newer the blade, the faster you will cut the hole, but you will still have to tinker for 10-20 minutes. The diamond blade looks like this:

Diamond blades are sold in stores and markets. Approximate price 2-4$. To prevent the glaze on the tile from chipping, you need to cut the tile only in one direction, moving the hacksaw along the metal and, accordingly, the blade downwards. Of course, we have the glaze or the face of the tile on top. You need to lift the canvas carefully, again so as not to break off a piece of glaze.

This method is also good because it allows you to make a rectangular hole, oval or any other shape in the tile to suit any decorative insert, semiprecious stone, rapana shell, etc. In such cases, if the cut is visible after finishing, it is advisable to treat it with sandpaper.

Note: If the tiles are already glued to the wall, then only methods No. 2, 3 and 4 will suit you.

And don’t forget to wet the tiles; this will not only speed up the process, but also extend the life of the tool and reduce the amount of dust.

During renovations, especially major ones, every owner is faced with the problem of drilling holes in the wall. Of course, if the partitions are wooden, then there should be no problems with them at all, because the hole can be made using conventional drill. But what to do if you need to drill concrete or brick wall under the socket? With this, the matter will be more complicated, because it is necessary not only to select necessary tools, but also become familiar with the technique of using them, and also be patient.

Many people immediately ask the question: why can’t you use a standard drill for a concrete wall? The thing is that such hard materials as concrete and brick are practically not destroyed by the action of a drill. They are actually much easier to break than to drill. Even if you try very hard, even the most durable drills will get very hot, as a result of which they will quickly deteriorate. That's why to make a hole in concrete wall It's best to use it under a socket percussion instruments, such as a bolt, punch or hammer drill.

Using a bolt and a punch

If holes in the wall do not need to be drilled very often, it will be enough to use a tool such as a bolt. It's very easy to use. The tool is applied to the surface with its serrated side at a right angle, after which it is gently struck with a hammer. After several blows, the bolt needs to be turned a little. You also need to shake out unnecessary pieces of concrete from it from time to time. In addition to the bolt, you can use a punch to create holes for the socket. Before using it, the surface must be freed from wallpaper, painting and old plaster.

Using a hammer drill

If there is something going on in the house major renovation with laying a new one electrical wiring, then you simply cannot do without a more serious tool. The most suitable in this case would be a hammer drill, which usually has several operating modes: drilling, impact and drilling with impacts. In addition to creating holes for sockets, it can also be used to screw in and out self-tapping screws without any problems. Correctly selected drills and operating modes will allow you to make any hole in a matter of minutes.

To create holes large diameter You will need special attachments - crowns. They are made of durable steel and differ in diameter and number of teeth. The crowns are attached to the hammer drill like regular drills.

In order to make a hole in the wall for an outlet, it is best to use an electrical installation nozzle. To reduce the amount of dust, craftsmen recommend putting a half piece on the hammer drill. plastic bottle or part of an old ball.

Making holes in a concrete wall presents many difficulties. The material is hard and requires specialized tools.

The task of installing a hidden socket, which requires an appropriate recess, is considered especially difficult. An additional complication is the need to produce through hole, but a recess having certain dimensions.

Solving the problem will require skills, experience, and certain knowledge. The issue is not very difficult, but requires detailed consideration.

Drilling a hole in concrete - a test for strong in spirit people. Builders try to use tools that are appropriate for the material being processed.

They often try to make holes in concrete with pobeddite (carbide) drills and the result remains unsatisfactory. Hardness and abrasive quickly damage cutting edge drills.

The most successful tool that can cope with concrete is a hammer drill, which uses its own technique that is different from drilling. Some more difficult to manufacture nests using a grinder. Requires installation of a diamond cutting disc, but you won’t be able to complete the task entirely; you’ll have to complete the result using a hammer drill or electric drill.

Work performed with hard types of concrete in load-bearing walls panel houses, require the use of an appropriate tool. You should not waste time trying to operate with inappropriate devices; you must immediately use specialized devices.

Using a hammer drill

Drilling into concrete is useless. The hammer drill copes with the task quite confidently, since a different principle is used - not cutting, but chipping away small particles of concrete. The process is called rotary impact drilling.

Making holes is possible using two methods:

• Consecutive contouring of a pre-marked circle with a diameter of 2-3 mm larger size socket box.
• Using a special crown with diamond or pobedite teeth.

The work is not difficult, but it will require following the sequence of actions:

• The hole for the socket box is marked with a necessarily designated center.
• The direction of the groove is outlined - the recess for the cable channel.
• The depth of the socket is measured and marked on the drill with an allowance of about 3-5 mm using a strip of electrical tape.
• The central hole is drilled.
• Holes are drilled sequentially along the contour of the circle. The distances between them should be kept as small as possible.
• The central part of the socket is knocked out with a chisel and hammer.

Cutting the grooves is done with a hammer drill with a special blade-shaped attachment that forms a neat groove. The process is quite lengthy, noisy, but effective.

Crown for socket boxes

Using a crown makes it possible to form a neat circle around the socket. Typically a crown with a diameter of 65 mm is used, corresponding standard size socket box.

Using a crown makes marking easier - just mark the center of the hole and drill a hole with a diameter of 7-8 mm. The crown goes deep into the wall to a sufficient distance with a small margin (3-5 mm).

The nest is removed using a chisel. Dense, stubborn concrete is not easy to knock out; several additional holes in the center will help ease the effort. Sometimes you have to almost completely drill out the central part. The process is noisy, slow, but quite effective.

Regular drill

Using a drill will not create the desired effect. A drill with a carbide tip is much stronger than a regular drill, but working with concrete is too difficult for it.

The exception is soft materials used for the manufacture of interior partitions:

• Foam concrete;
• Brickwork;
• Slag or gypsum blocks.

The carbide drill is capable of working with soft views concrete. Procedure:

• Marking;
• Outlining nests;
• Knocking out the central parts with a chisel.

Instead of a crown, various attachments with circular saws of suitable diameter can be used. The production of grooves is done by creating multiple entries to a shallow depth (1.5-2 cm), located on the axis of the future wire.

The entries are connected to each other by pulling a rotating drill at an angle along the channel line. It is more convenient to make two narrow strips, passed at a distance of about 1 cm from each other, and then remove the jumper between them.

A plastic cable channel is installed inside the grooves, or wires are laid in double insulation. Both options are equally possible, choose the one that is convenient for you.

Sawing with a grinder

Using an angle grinder, colloquially called an angle grinder, is not the best best option, but if there are no other options, it will do.

The technique for making a socket is significantly different from the methods used when working with a hammer drill or electric drill. The grinder does not allow you to make a neat round hole of the required diameter.

We have to work with more rough, approximate methods. But making grooves for the socket box is easier, since the grinder makes straight grooves perfectly. Procedure:

• Marking the wall;
• Drilling grooves;
• Outlining a square with a side 2-3 mm larger than the outer diameter of the socket box;
• Removing the center of the square, the inner strip of the groove;
• Installation of socket box and cable duct;
• Filling up extra space sand-cement mortar, plaster, alabaster mixture.

Safety

Working with concrete is accompanied by the formation of a large amount of dust and small fragments of stone. The sharp edges of the particles are dangerous to the eyes and respiratory system, so you must use safety glasses and a respirator (gauze mask). Working with power tools requires compliance with specific safety rules.

Do not use faulty tools that have damaged power cords.

When operating with a hammer and chisel, you must ensure that the hammer is firmly attached to the handle. Keep the chisel perpendicular to the surface being worked. The riveted ends of the chisel must be removed.

Important points

Dust formation - serious problem arising during the work process. Using a vacuum cleaner can significantly reduce the volume of dust and small particles. It is especially recommended when driving a groove using a grinder.

It is recommended to moisten hard, dense grades of concrete (on load-bearing walls) with water during work. The material generates less dust and becomes more pliable.

Watch the detailed video:

Drilling of holes must be carried out with full confidence that there is no risk of damage electric cable. If there are thick reinforcing bars in the walls, it is recommended to use a diamond-coated drill bit. It slowly but reliably overcomes the reinforcement.

So let's begin. How and with what to drill a hole in concrete for an outlet. The most budget-friendly, but time-consuming and dusty option would be to drill holes in a circle with a drill using Pobedit drill bits, and then knock out the concrete inside with either a hammer drill or a chisel. Naturally, the hole will turn out to be uneven, but this is not the main thing, because after finishing the work and installing the socket in it, it will be puttied. As you can see, this method is quite suitable for non-professionals. How do professionals make such holes? Usually special crowns. They happen three types: pobedite, diamond-coated and tungsten-cardium alloys. Most budget option- these are pobedite crowns

Moreover Russian manufacturers We have learned to produce quite high-quality products. But there are also risks when working with this tool, edges flying off during the drilling process, especially in places where the crown hits the reinforcement. But if you follow safety rules and operating technology, that is, do not overheat the crown and change it to another if it comes into contact with metal, then it will last quite a long time. The second option is diamond-coated crowns

This crown is good for almost everything except the price. Moreover, the reinforcement is no longer scary to her. A hole in concrete can usually be drilled in no more than five minutes. And the third option is tungsten carbide tips

This type of crown drills quite well in both concrete and brick, stone and even ceramic tiles. But if it gets on the reinforcement, the spray may break off. And compared to diamond crowns, this type wears out over time without the ability to self-heal. The price for them is quite affordable compared to diamond ones.