Rubi Drill Bits
Rubi drill bits are made for clean holes in tile, porcelain and glass without blowing the face out or burning the bit halfway through the job.
If you're fitting bathrooms, drilling porcelain splashbacks or fixing through hard floor tile, this is the sort of kit that saves broken tiles and wasted time. Rubi diamond drill bits and Rubi tile drill bits are built for accurate starts, cleaner cuts and proper life when matched to the material. If you're already using Rubi Tools, it makes sense to keep your drilling kit in the same lane and get the right bit for the job.
What Are Rubi Drill Bits Used For?
- Drilling fixing holes through porcelain wall and floor tiles lets kitchen fitters and bathroom installers mount brackets, screens, rails and accessories without cracking finished surfaces.
- Cutting neat openings for pipework and wastes with a Rubi hole saw helps plumbers get clean entries through tile on shower valves, basin feeds and radiator tails.
- Working on glass, ceramics and glazed finishes with the right Rubi glass drill bit keeps breakout down when you need a tidy visible hole on a finished install.
- Using a Rubi dry diamond drill bit on quick snagging and retrofit work saves the faff of setting up water when you need a fast, controlled hole in hard tile.
- Keeping a Rubi drill bit set in the van means you can cover the usual fixing sizes on first visit instead of stopping work because one awkward diameter is missing.
Choosing the Right Rubi Drill Bits
Sorting the right one is simple: match the bit to the tile and the hole you actually need, not what happens to be lying in the van.
1. Porcelain Needs the Right Bit
If you're drilling porcelain, use a proper Rubi porcelain drill bit or Rubi diamond drill bits. Do not chance it with a basic masonry bit or a cheap tile point. Hard porcelain will blunt poor bits fast and usually chips right when the job is nearly done.
2. Small Fixing Holes vs Large Cut-Outs
If you're fixing clips, brackets or mirror screws, go for standard tile drill bit sizes. If you're passing pipework, wastes or larger fittings through tile, you want a Rubi hole saw. It is a cleaner way to make bigger openings without stitching together smaller holes.
3. Dry Drilling Saves Time on Snagging
If you're in and out on smaller install work, a Rubi dry diamond drill bit is the practical choice because you can get on with the hole without setting up water feed. For longer runs or harder material, manage heat properly and do not force the cut.
4. Buy the Sizes You Actually Use
If you drill the same fixing sizes every week, a Rubi drill bit set makes sense and keeps the common diameters together. If you only need one awkward size for a specific fitting, buy that single size instead of paying for a set that never leaves the case.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Tilers use Rubi tile drill bits and Rubi porcelain drill bit options when they need clean holes after laying, especially on hard porcelain where cheap bits skate and chip the glaze.
- Bathroom fitters rely on them for drilling screens, brassware fixings and accessory points into finished tile, where one slipped bit can wreck an otherwise tidy install.
- Plumbers keep a Rubi diamond drill bit or hole saw close by for pipe penetrations, shower controls and wastes, especially when second fix lands after the tiles are already on.
- Kitchen fitters and maintenance teams use them for wall fixings, splashback drilling and retrofit jobs, usually keeping the common sizes in the tool bag for call-backs and snagging.
The Basics: Understanding Rubi Drill Bits
Tile and porcelain drilling is less about brute force and more about using the right cutting edge at the right speed. Here is the part that actually matters on site.
1. Diamond Grit Does the Cutting
A Rubi diamond drill bit does not smash through like a masonry bit. The diamond edge grinds through the glazed face and hard body of the tile, which is why it gives a cleaner hole and far less chance of cracking expensive porcelain.
2. Hole Saws Are for Larger Openings
A Rubi hole saw cuts a circle for bigger penetrations like pipes and wastes. That gives you one clean opening instead of trying to nibble out the middle and risking chips around visible fittings.
3. Heat Control Matters
Whether the bit is rated for wet or dry use, too much pressure and too much speed will cook the cutting edge. Let the bit work, keep it steady, and it will last longer and cut cleaner.
Accessories That Make Tile Drilling Easier
A couple of simple add-ons make a big difference when you are drilling hard tile and porcelain on a finished job.
1. Drill Guides
This stops the bit skating across the glazed face the second you pull the trigger. Worth having when you're drilling visible tiles and cannot afford a scratched finish or a hole that starts off centre.
2. Cooling Aids or Water Feed Support
If the bit is designed for wet use, proper cooling keeps the edge alive and stops you burning through expensive diamond bits halfway through the day.
3. Spare Common Sizes
Keep replacement 6mm, 8mm and other regular fixing sizes nearby. It saves the usual headache when the bit finally gives up and you are stood in a finished bathroom with one last bracket to fit.
Choose the Right Rubi Drill Bits for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right bit before you touch the tile.
| Your Job | Bit Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling small fixing holes in ceramic wall tile | Rubi tile drill bits | Clean starts, controlled drilling, sized for common screws and plugs |
| Drilling hard porcelain for brackets and fittings | Rubi porcelain drill bit | Diamond cutting edge, better life in dense tile, less risk of chipping |
| Cutting pipe and waste penetrations | Rubi hole saw | Neat larger diameter holes, cleaner finish around visible fittings |
| Quick dry drilling on snagging and second fix | Rubi dry diamond drill bit | No water setup, fast site use, suited to controlled short runs |
| Covering the common sizes in one case | Rubi drill bit set | Useful size spread, easier van storage, quicker to grab on repeat jobs |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying a general masonry bit for porcelain is the usual false economy. It skates, overheats and often chips the tile, so use a proper Rubi diamond drill bit for hard finishes.
- Forcing the drill too hard burns the cutting edge and shortens bit life. Ease off, keep the speed sensible and let the diamonds do the work.
- Using the wrong diameter means loose fixings or oversized holes around visible fittings. Check the fixing, pipe or waste size before you start because tile is not something you want to drill twice.
- Ignoring whether the bit is wet or dry rated causes heat build-up and poor life. Match the bit to the method and follow the proper cooling approach for that type.
- Starting straight on the glazed face without a guide or steady angle can make the bit wander. That usually leaves a scratched tile and a hole in the wrong place.
Tile Drill Bits vs Diamond Drill Bits vs Hole Saws
Rubi Tile Drill Bits
Best for standard fixing holes in ceramic and tile work where accuracy matters more than speed. They are the everyday choice for brackets, screws and bathroom accessories, but they are not the one for larger pipe openings.
Rubi Diamond Drill Bits
These are the better option for hard porcelain, dense tile and cleaner drilling in tougher finishes. If you deal with modern large format porcelain a lot, this is where your money wants to go.
Rubi Hole Saws
Use these when the hole needs to pass pipework, wastes or larger fittings through tile. They cut a proper round opening and save the mess and breakage that comes from trying to open out a small drilled hole.
Maintenance and Care
Clean the Bit After Use
Wipe off slurry, dust and tile residue after each job. Letting debris bake onto the edge only makes the next hole slower and rougher.
Do Not Overheat Them
Most premature wear comes from too much speed and pressure. If the bit starts glazing up or slowing badly, back off before you cook the diamonds.
Store Sizes Properly
Keep bits in their case or separated in the kit box so the cutting edges are not knocking together loose with screws and fixings.
Replace Worn Bits at the Right Time
If the bit is taking too long, wandering badly or chipping the face despite proper technique, it is done. Hanging onto a dead bit usually costs you a tile.
Why Shop for Rubi Drill Bits at ITS?
Whether you need a single Rubi porcelain drill bit, a full Rubi drill bit set, or larger Rubi hole saw sizes for pipe penetrations, we stock the range properly. You will also find related kit like Rubi Tiling Tools, Rubi Tile Cutters, Rubi Vacuum Lifters and Rubi Diamond Blades. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery.
Rubi Drill Bits FAQs
What drill bits are best for porcelain tiles?
For porcelain, use proper Rubi diamond drill bits or a Rubi porcelain drill bit made for hard tile. Standard masonry bits are usually a waste of time here. They skid on the glaze, run hot and are far more likely to chip an expensive tile.
Do Rubi diamond drill bits need water cooling?
Some do and some do not, so check the bit type first. A Rubi dry diamond drill bit is made to run dry for the right application, but even then you still need controlled pressure and sensible speed. If the bit is rated for wet use, give it water because heat is what kills diamond bits early.
What sizes do Rubi tile drill bits come in?
Rubi tile drill bits are available in the common fixing and installation sizes, plus larger diameters in hole saw style for pipes and fittings. The right size depends on whether you are drilling for screws, shower fixings, tap feeds or wastes, so check the finished fitting before ordering.
Are Rubi tile drill bits wet or dry cutting?
Rubi make both wet and dry options, so do not assume one bit covers everything. If you are doing quick fitting work, dry bits are handy. If you are drilling harder material or doing repeated holes, wet-rated options can give better cooling and bit life.
How long do Rubi diamond drill bits last?
That depends on the tile, the speed, the pressure and whether you keep heat under control. Used properly, they last well and cut cleanly for plenty of site work. Lean on them too hard or run the wrong type dry for too long and you will burn through the edge quickly.
Will these drill cleanly through glazed tiles without skidding everywhere?
Yes, if you start them properly. Use a guide if you have one, keep the drill steady and do not go in flat out from the off. Rubi tile drill bits are made for cleaner starts than a general bit, but technique still matters on a shiny glazed face.
Can I use a Rubi hole saw on porcelain floor tiles?
Yes, provided the hole saw is matched to porcelain and you do not force it. It is a common way to cut neat penetrations for pipes and wastes through hard floor tile, especially where the finish will stay visible once the fitting is in place.
