Best drill bit for vitreous china (WC)?

Hi @bazzyboy

I suggest using QEP 6mm Diamond Tile Drill Bit. It includes a drill guide and a water cooling cup. It's great for cutting holes in glass, ceramic, porcelain, marble and granite. My number one tip is to never run it dry and always use the water chamber provided. The water keeps the head of the cutting bit nice and cool and prevents it from overheating.

It will take time when drilling through such a thick substance. I recommend not rushing the cutting process. Pushing too hard or running the drill bit at high speed could possibly crack the porcelain. Keep a good steady speed and let the drill bit do all the work.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your bidet ready for use.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Thanks so much, Eric. I've bought this drill bit and will be tackling the job on Sunday.

MitchellMc

Keep us updated @bazzyboy and don't hesitate to reach out if you run into any issues.

Mitchell

Yay, it's done! For a 6mm pipe I decided to use an 8mm drill bit, which gave a perfect fit. 6mm would have been too small.

QEP 8mm Diamond Tile Drill Bit

I/N: 6820161

It was very useful to know to take it slow and steady. I used a cordless drill - an inexpensive XU1.

The only fail was that the double-sided adhesive that came with the drill bit (to hold the guide container in place) was not adhering to the smooth porcelain and the container went spinning as soon as I started drilling and splashed water all over! Luckily, I had ordered waterproof nano tape from Amazon recently and that was put to good use for this project.

Screenshot_20220315-001947_Amazon Shopping.jpg

Had I been even more patient, used a lower torque setting on the drill, and not applied occasional force I could have had a cleaner hole on the outside. It was very fulfilling to see the drill bit come out of the other end after more than 15 minutes of drilling.

MitchellMc

I'm pleased to hear that your project has been successful, @bazzyboy. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need assistance with a project or have something to share with the community.

Mitchell

Hi @bazzyboy

It's great to hear that you've managed to drill through the ceramic wall of the cistern. You made good time by drilling through in 15 minutes. It usually takes longer at slow speed. But the important thing is that you've managed to provide access to your bidet hose. Would it be possible for you to show us the three-way connection for the bidet hose? I'm sure our members who are in a similar situation would be keen to see how you attached it.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your bidet seat working.

Eric

Hi Eric, please see attached images of the 3-way connection- one inlet and 2 outlets. The 3-way connector was supplied by the Sydney- based bidet distributor after I told him about the available water source and what I wanted to do. Happy to send any other information you or others may need to install a bidet.

mdashraf5

Hi there, I'm in a similar dilemma having to drill into my cistern porcelain. I was wondering where can I get that 3 way connector and the 6mm pipe/tube ( and the fittings required for it?)

Hello @mdashraf5

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion. If you've read the previous post it is better to use the 8mm Diamond tile drill bit as it will give you the correct size to pass the hose through. Let me tag @bazzyboy to make sure that they are aware of your question.

Please remember to wear safety gloves, goggles and a dust mask when drilling into a porcelain surface.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

https://www.bidetsonline.com.au/shop/bidet-water-types/cold-water-bidets-bidet-water-types/luelue-lb5000/

@mdashraf5

The bidet model from the Sydney supplier is called LueLue LB5000 and it comes with the 3-way connector and flexible tubes. Please make sure you chat with the business before they ship it, so that they know the right parts to supply for your specific scenario. I had spoken to a Kevin.

mdashraf5

Thank you so much. I've just made an order for it and hopefully can do a same set up as yours 😉

Hello @mdashraf5

Just a friendly reminder to wear safety equipment such as gloves, goggles and a dust mask when drilling into porcelain surfaces. Please remember to drill slowly and use lots of water to prevent heating up the ceramic surface. Please make sure to post an update when you've started your drilling. I'm sure our members will be keen to see the results.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Hi mate, I am about to install this on my toilet seat.
Would you be able to share some photos of how you manage to get water pipe through side hole on the bottom of the toilet. Or if you be able to explain please

JacobZ

Hi @arshmuglani,

Thank you for your post and a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Allow me to tag @bazzyboy so they are notified of your question.

I may be able to assist further, but I would need a bit more context.

Are you looking to install a bidet like bazzyboy has? Does the bidet require you to drill through the cistern to install the water pipe?

Once you can provide some details, I'd be happy to assist further.

Jacob

Hi Jacob, thanks for your reply mate.

I am beginner to this DIY stuff, I've been quoted around 300$ for just to drill this hole and installation of a bidet. I have already installed a sprayer jet to another toilet with water point outside. After seeing this post, I am very confident that with right tools, I can do that.

I have an understanding about drilling the hole and installing the T valve and bidet.

In the previous photos, I have seen that there is a way to access the hole on the bottom of seat to get the water pipe through. I really appreciate if you can help me out with this. And if you can suggest that what drill machine and drill bit is best to make this hole.

Thank you

JacobZ

Hi @arshmuglani,

Is it possible to get some photos of your toilet?

I suspect that the high price of the quote is because you have a back-to-wall system where the cistern tap enters through the bottom of the toilet as opposed to through the cistern in bazzyboy's example.

If this is the case, the high price is likely because the toilet will need to be uninstalled, moved out of position so the cistern tap can be accessed, the t-fitting attached, the hole drilled through the toilet and the hose installed before everything is reinstated.

Once I see some photos, I can either confirm the above or provide advice on how best to go about the installation.

If your toilet is as I suspect, unfortunately, it is likely you will require the assistance of a plumber for this project.

Let me know if you need a hand uploading images.

Jacob

Thanks for your help Jacob. Please refer to attratched photos, I have same toilet seat and want to install same setup.

https://www.bidetsonline.com.au/shop/bidet-water-types/cold-water-bidets-bidet-water-types/luelue-lb5000/

Hi @arshmuglani - looking at the photos, you may not need to drill a hole in the WC as it already has the water outlet you use for the spray.

Have you bought your bidet?

The bidet model I used is from a Sydney supplier. It is called LueLue LB5000 and it comes with the 3-way connector and flexible tubes. Please make sure you chat with the business before they ship it, so that they know the right parts to supply for your specific scenario. I had spoken to a Kevin.

Thanks for that link mate. I'll give them a call tomorrow and explain them my scenario.

Thanks alot for the help mate.

DannyPoon

Hi it's 2025 and I encounter the same problem, hope you guys are still around doing well!

So here's the photos of the toilet in question. The water point is inside the cistern, the plumber doesn't want to drill a hole for me saying it's risky to damage the ceramic.

So I'd need to either drill a hole on the lid or the tank (which is thinner than the lid) so I guess it's easier, but I will have more trouble if it is the tank I break. I wonder which would be the better way to do?

I have not yet made purchase for the smart bidet seat. Do they come with standard pipe diameter so the 8mm drill would work better?

I don't even have a drill, are there any recommendations what to get for this project?

Also, some plumbers told me I might need to get them install a NPZ valve for me, but bidet websites says as long as the bidet seat is watermark stamped and I get the seat **** /**** outlet 25mm over the overflow of toilet bowl I'm all good. Have anyone encountered problems with it or it's naturally in compliance?

Many thanks and appreciate any feedback!