Drilling Granite or Marble Countertops

Been away for a while! Moved to new digs, but I'm back. I install Reverse Osmosis systems and usually drill through stainless sinks or traditional countertops to make way for the faucet. Lately the builders have been using this granite or quartz countertop material which is beautiful, but incredibly hard and dense. It is difficult to drill a 1/2 hole. I use a masonry bit, but it generally takes me about 20 minutes to drill through a 1.5 countertop, and the masonry bit is toast when I'm finished. I keep the bit cool with water as I drill, and I know I could go faster by using the hammer on the drill, but I'm terrified of ruining a customer's countertop. (and so are they!) Is there a better way to more efficiently cut through this material? Maybe a core drilling bit. Take a look at www.diamond-drill-bit-and-tool.com They have the core bits. Alpha makes a good one too. You will have to Google to find a seller. Another one is www.armegptc.com they make a good bit. Nobody sells them cheap. Tileguybob is right. A core bit is the way to go. You can can find them through companies such as Granite City Tool, GranQuartz, et al. www.granitecitytool.com www.granquartz.com Yeah, I had a feeling that would be the answer. Expensive, but an investment well made. Better to do it right than to have to replace a very expensive countertop!

Related Posts:

• 
  Drilling through granite countertop
  
  Drilling Through Granite CountertopI need help finding the right tools for drilling through granite counter tops. At present I use an 1/2 diamond wet/ dry core bit with a standard drill. It takes...
  


• 
  Drilling hole in sheetrock
  
  Drilling hole in sheetrockWhat kind of drill bit do I need to drill a 1-1/4 hole in 5/8 gyprock? I have no scrap so I can't experiment. I have a flat wood bit in this size - will it work? What you...
  


• 
  Drilling straight with a hand drill and a 6x6
  
  Drilling straight with a hand drill and a 6x6Hello All, Forgive me if this isn't quite the right topics area, but I thought it was the best bet. I might be in a situation where I need to drill a f...
  


• 
  Enough holes in sump pit liner
  
  Enough holes in sump pit liner?Keeping it simple: I just moved to a house and we're getting water in the basement with these record rainstorms in the Northeast. We can tell the basement has had wa...
  


• 
  Installing granite tile countertops
  
  installing Granite tile countertopsi am going to install granite tile countertops in my kitchen. i was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a tutorial or some detailed directions. I h...