Glass & Tile Drill Bits

Glass & Tile Drill Bits

Drilling glass, ceramic tiles, and stone requires a completely different drill bit to those used for wood and metal. Standard twist drills cannot cut these materials — they would either shatter the glass, chip the tile glaze, or simply slide without cutting. Specialist glass and tile drill bits use either a spear-point tungsten carbide tip or diamond abrasive to abrade through the material without applying the shear cutting action that would crack hard, brittle substrates. AIMS Industrial supplies glass and tile drill bits for construction, glazing, plumbing, and electrical work requiring holes in ceramic, glass, and stone surfaces.

Spear-Point (Lance-Tip) Bits

Spear-point drill bits have a tungsten carbide tip ground to a flat, spear-shaped profile. The tip applies a scraping abrasion action rather than a cutting action, gradually abrading through the tile or glass surface. They are the standard for drilling wall tiles, floor tiles, and flat glass — quick to set up and effective on most domestic and commercial ceramic and porcelain tile work. Key technique requirements: use a slow drill speed (300–800 RPM is typically appropriate), steady moderate pressure, and coolant (water or cutting fluid) to prevent overheating of the tip and thermal cracking of the glass or tile. Never use percussion (hammer) mode on glass or tile — the impact will shatter the material.

Diamond Core Drill Bits

Diamond core bits use a diamond-impregnated matrix on the cutting edge to abrade holes in hard materials. They are specified for larger diameter holes (typically 6mm and above) in porcelain, granite, marble, and hard ceramic tiles where spear-point bits would be too slow or would wear before completing the hole. Wet diamond core drilling uses water as a coolant to extend bit life and control dust. Diamond bits are significantly more expensive than spear-point bits but last much longer in appropriate materials and produce cleaner holes in hard, abrasive substrates.

Technique and Safety

Starting a hole in smooth glass requires a guide or starting template to prevent the bit from wandering before it has abraded into the surface. A rubber suction guide filled with water serves as both a starting guide and a coolant reservoir. Wear eye protection — glass fragments and tile chips are a significant eye hazard. For glass and tile drill bit selection by material and hole size, contact our team.

For drilling into frameless glass, tempered glass requires specialist drilling before toughening — it cannot be drilled once tempered. Always confirm the glass type before attempting to drill. Contact our team for product recommendations specific to your substrate.