How to Drill Granite

High Desert Stone Works does a great job in this video of showing you how easily it can be done:

What you’ll need:

Large diamond core drill bit. (often referred to as diamond hole saw)

Sponge and water or water containment suction ring (or putty moulded into a ring will do just as well)

Vacuum cleaner

Hole template (optional)

Step 1

Mark the position of where you require the hole to be with a white marker and place a strip of masking tape over the top. Unless of course like Mr High Desert Stone Works in the video you have a template to draw around. When you begin to drill the masking tape will help prevent any skittering across the surface of the granite. Set up your vacuum cleaner hose near to the intended drill hole to suck up any granite debris as you drill.

Step 2

Soak a sponge in water (keeping a bowl of water to hand in order to top up) and place directly next to your intended drill hole. The purpose of using a lubricant such as water is to ensure the material and your drill bit don’t overheat which can cause your material to crack and will shorten the life of your drill bit.  The other option here is to use a water containment suction ring which will hold the water into the ring whilst you drill.  (A bit of putty moulded into a ring will do just as well)

Step 3

Start the drill on it’s lowest rpm setting to begin with and angle your drill on the masking tape whilst at the same time squeezing water from your sponge directly onto the drilling process.  The angling of the drill will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface. At this point if you’re using one, place your water containment ring on the granite and continue to drill through ensuring there is a constant pool of water in the ring.  If you’re not using a ring, once you’ve made the initial cut by angling the piece into the granite return your drill to it’s normal vertical position and continue to drill through your tile.