Ns

"Nonny"

19/11/2009 9:58 PM

Drilling Granite counter top

I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen.
The spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or
Lowe's that mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. I
have the normal graduated carbide bit selection as well as a
DeWalt Hammer Drill. However, I've never drilled granite before
and would appreciate any tips.

For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used
an abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling.
Should I use water to cool the carbide bit? Should I invest in
the abrasive hole saw? Do I risk cracking the counter top if I
use the hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill
function and lots of pressure and patience? Is it necessary to
drill a small pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the
gold" in one shot?

--
Nonny

What does it mean when drool runs
out of both sides of a drunken
Congressman's mouth?

The floor is level.



This topic has 10 replies

Rc

Robatoy

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

20/11/2009 3:28 AM

On Nov 20, 12:58=A0am, "Nonny" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen.
> The spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or
> Lowe's that mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. =A0I
> have the normal graduated carbide bit selection as well as a
> DeWalt Hammer Drill. =A0However, I've never drilled granite before
> and would appreciate any tips.
>
> For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used
> an abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling.
> Should I use water to cool the carbide bit? =A0Should I invest in
> the abrasive hole saw? =A0Do I risk cracking the counter top if I
> use the hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill
> function and lots of pressure and patience? =A0Is it necessary to
> drill a small pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the
> gold" in one shot?
>
> --
> Nonny
>
> What does it mean when drool runs
> out of both sides of a drunken
> Congressman's mouth?
>
> The floor is level.

Diamond core-bore in a grinder. Use one designed to run dry. Use a
guide as there is no pilot drill.
NEVER use carbide or hammer function.

Bb

Bruce

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

21/11/2009 6:25 AM

I've done it with one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32400
Use some water for cooling.

-Bruce


On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:58:58 -0700, Nonny wrote
(in article <[email protected]>):

> I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen.
> The spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or
> Lowe's that mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. I
> have the normal graduated carbide bit selection as well as a
> DeWalt Hammer Drill. However, I've never drilled granite before
> and would appreciate any tips.
>
> For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used
> an abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling.
> Should I use water to cool the carbide bit? Should I invest in
> the abrasive hole saw? Do I risk cracking the counter top if I
> use the hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill
> function and lots of pressure and patience? Is it necessary to
> drill a small pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the
> gold" in one shot?
>
>

u

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

20/11/2009 6:12 AM

On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:58:58 -0800, "Nonny" <[email protected]> wrote:

>the abrasive hole saw? Do I risk cracking the counter top if I
>use the hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill

Yes, there's a good chance you'll crack the granite

>function and lots of pressure and patience? Is it necessary to
>drill a small pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the
>gold" in one shot?

Use a diamond abrasive bit and take your time with it.

Ns

"Nonny"

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

22/11/2009 2:57 PM


"Too_Many_Tools" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:b318fb65-dd85-4813-889d-
>
> Remember that making this hole will weaken the countertop..
>
> So do you really need to make it?
>

Nope- I didn't. I finished today and it works just swell without
drilling the cabinet top. The dispenser is mounted on a cast
electrical box that is screwed to the wall, sitting on the 4"
backsplash, and the pipe goes out the backside, into the wall and
down to the pump. This places the spigot up about 14" above the
counter top, permitting any glass or even a bottle to fit beneath
it: handy if I want to empty the system.

Essentially, I have a 3-gallon water bottle I purchased from a
water store, sitting on the floor of the pantry. A 3/8" tube runs
from it up to a Flojet diaphragm pump. This prevents any
siphoning. The pump has a 35 psi pressure switch and a 1.1 gpm
rate, and can supposedly run dry. It's fed with a 5a, 12vdc
"brick" from an old laptop and fused at 4a., which is the
manufacturer's suggestion. The pump, power supply and fuse holder
all are mounted on a piece of 3/4" particle board and fastened
with a single screw to the back of an adjoining cabinet.

The pump's output goes up the interior of a wall to a cast metal
electrical box with cover: painted to match the wall. The box
sits on the top of the 4" backsplash and is secured to a stud.
The pipe enters from the back and is connected to a press to
dispense faucet like you see for RO systems or filtered water
systems. The faucet is mounted on the top of the box to gain even
more height above the cabinet.

The system was tested and purged with water, of course and passed
with flying colors. The bottle was emptied and refilled with 3
bottles of Brandy as a test and should be in service during Happy
Hour tonight. <GriN>


--
Nonny

What does it mean when drool runs
out of both sides of a drunken
Congressman's mouth?

The floor is level.


Sk

Swingman

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

21/11/2009 1:31 PM

Nonny wrote:
> Thanks to everyone for the information. My pump arrived this AM, so
> I'll make a run to our Harbor Freight store and see what they have in
> diamond abrasive bits, as recommended in the URL. I'm now considering
> an optional wall-type dispenser that won't require drilling the granite
> counter top. I'm particularly concerned about the location of where I'd
> mount the spigot, since it's near a corner and having tile and marble
> experience, I KNOW that's an area frought with danger, anyway. My
> alternative would be a "box" that would wall mount and the spigot would
> be on the top, giving me more height as well.
>
> Again, thanks for reaffirming just how many good people hang out here
> and what a broad range of knowledge and advice is present.

I did a kitchen last year where I ended up having to drill holes in the
granite counter top to permanently secure (epoxy did not work)the
"wooden rack/shelf" to the kitchen desk you see in the left foreground
in this picture:

http://www.e-woodshop.net/images/3811kit-11.jpg

The diamond bits were expensive but it was not a tough job, although it
was a bit too close to the edge for comfort. We used water, but no more
than a couple of cups, a bit at a time, while drilling the four 1/2"
holes, and the one 1" hole (to allow the client EZ access to the
receptacle under the counter for her laptop).

I did, however, breathe a sigh of relief after it was done ...

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

MH

"Martin H. Eastburn"

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

20/11/2009 8:43 PM

Drill only don't hammer-drill.

Use pool or flowing water coolant.

You can take plumbers putty and create a dam around the area - allowing
plenty of water to keep it cool.

Rock is always cut with water - it will fracture and you will not like
the zip run across the sink top!

If you can get a small water pump - think water feature for house - palm size -
and use it to pump into the pool and have an overflow that goes into
the sink or pot.

You want to keep as much dust out of the hole so the dust won't grind
away the drill and waller out the hole.

Martin

Nonny wrote:
> I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen. The
> spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or Lowe's that
> mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. I have the normal
> graduated carbide bit selection as well as a DeWalt Hammer Drill.
> However, I've never drilled granite before and would appreciate any tips.
>
> For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used an
> abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling. Should I use
> water to cool the carbide bit? Should I invest in the abrasive hole
> saw? Do I risk cracking the counter top if I use the hammer drill
> function, or should I go with the drill function and lots of pressure
> and patience? Is it necessary to drill a small pilot if using the
> carbide bit, or can I "go for the gold" in one shot?
>

Tt

Too_Many_Tools

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

22/11/2009 7:24 AM

On Nov 19, 11:58=A0pm, "Nonny" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen.
> The spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or
> Lowe's that mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. =A0I
> have the normal graduated carbide bit selection as well as a
> DeWalt Hammer Drill. =A0However, I've never drilled granite before
> and would appreciate any tips.
>
> For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used
> an abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling.
> Should I use water to cool the carbide bit? =A0Should I invest in
> the abrasive hole saw? =A0Do I risk cracking the counter top if I
> use the hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill
> function and lots of pressure and patience? =A0Is it necessary to
> drill a small pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the
> gold" in one shot?
>
> --
> Nonny
>
> What does it mean when drool runs
> out of both sides of a drunken
> Congressman's mouth?
>
> The floor is level.

Remember that making this hole will weaken the countertop..

So do you really need to make it?

TMT

ee

evodawg

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

20/11/2009 7:15 AM

Nonny wrote:

> I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen.
> The spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or
> Lowe's that mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. I
> have the normal graduated carbide bit selection as well as a
> DeWalt Hammer Drill. However, I've never drilled granite before
> and would appreciate any tips.
>
> For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used
> an abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling.
> Should I use water to cool the carbide bit? Should I invest in
> the abrasive hole saw? Do I risk cracking the counter top if I
> use the hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill
> function and lots of pressure and patience? Is it necessary to
> drill a small pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the
> gold" in one shot?
>

The guide could be something as simple as the same size hole drilled through
a 2x4 and then slip the hole saw in that and start your cut, once your into
the granite you can nix the guide.
Never use the hammer function on granite or tile...
--
"You can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"
Running Mandriva release 2008.0 free-i586 using KDE on i586
Website Address http://rentmyhusband.biz/

Ns

"Nonny"

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

21/11/2009 10:44 AM

Thanks to everyone for the information. My pump arrived this AM,
so I'll make a run to our Harbor Freight store and see what they
have in diamond abrasive bits, as recommended in the URL. I'm
now considering an optional wall-type dispenser that won't require
drilling the granite counter top. I'm particularly concerned
about the location of where I'd mount the spigot, since it's near
a corner and having tile and marble experience, I KNOW that's an
area frought with danger, anyway. My alternative would be a "box"
that would wall mount and the spigot would be on the top, giving
me more height as well.

Again, thanks for reaffirming just how many good people hang out
here and what a broad range of knowledge and advice is present.

--
Nonny

What does it mean when drool runs
out of both sides of a drunken
Congressman's mouth?

The floor is level.


sr

"steve robinson"

in reply to "Nonny" on 19/11/2009 9:58 PM

21/11/2009 1:54 PM

Nonny wrote:

> I am planning to install a dispenser for Brandy in our kitchen. The
> spigot will be a very typical sink-type spigot from HD or Lowe's
> that mounts through the counter top with a 1/2" hole. I have the
> normal graduated carbide bit selection as well as a DeWalt Hammer
> Drill. However, I've never drilled granite before and would
> appreciate any tips.
>
> For instance, when the installers did the sink fixtures, they used
> an abrasive diamond hole saw and a sloppy sponge for cooling.
> Should I use water to cool the carbide bit? Should I invest in the
> abrasive hole saw? Do I risk cracking the counter top if I use the
> hammer drill function, or should I go with the drill function and
> lots of pressure and patience? Is it necessary to drill a small
> pilot if using the carbide bit, or can I "go for the gold" in one
> shot?

You need liberal amounts of water and a diamond abrasive drill

When we do this we create a putty dam about 3 inches high and a foot
diameter and fill it full of water .

The granite will crack if you dont


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