Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Nov 28, 2007 07:05pm | #1

   You can drill through marble fairly easily.   One of those carbide-tipped masonry bits is a good idea.     So the procedure is the same as on a sheetrock wall:  find the studs, drill clearance holes, screw into the studs.

1. 
   beemerbob | Nov 28, 2007 08:45pm | #2

   Thanks jamie. Thought I needed a really special bit.Bob from NW Florida

2. 
   JohnWW | Nov 28, 2007 09:09pm | #3

   As explained, marble is soft and drills easily.  Do not use a hammer drill, the hammering can crack the tile.

   John White, Yestermorrow School

1. 
   beemerbob | Nov 28, 2007 09:34pm | #4

   John, do you have to worry about drill speed?Bob from NW Florida

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Nov 28, 2007 09:36pm | #5

   I like to use a drill bit for drilling glass. They are arrowhead shaped and you can get them at HD. Use a mist of water from a garden sprayer as well & go slow.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

2. 
   JohnWW | Nov 28, 2007 11:00pm | #6

   Bob,

   Use a variable speed drill and start out at slow speed to get the hole started smoothly then speed up to around a medium speed.  The hole should only take a few minutes to drill, don't rush with lots of pressure or speed at least until you get a feel for how the drill handles. 

   Watch your pressure, it is easy to crack some tiles if there isn't good support behind the tile.  Don't drill close to the edge of a tile, the drill will drift towards the edge and possibly break away the tile's edge.  Stay at least a drill diameter away from the edge if at all possible, more is better.

   If you've got a spare tile, it never hurts to drill a practice hole or two before you attack your wall.

   John W.

3. 
   ASK | Nov 30, 2007 04:51pm | #7

   I usually put a piece of masking tape over the place where I am going to drill. Helps keep the bit from wandering.

   ASK