How to Drill Slate

Slate is a material used to create tiles, which are made out of thin sheets of dried mud, clay and volcanic ash. The finish on a slate tile is a natural ash that can be used on floors, walls or back splashes. Drilling a hole on a slate tile can be tricky as it will crack easily. With the right tools and directions you can safely drill a hole through a slate tile without damaging the finish.

Painters tape
Marker
Drill
Carbide-tipped masonry tile

Instructions

- 1
  Place the painters tape in the shape of an "X" on the slate tile where you want to open up the hole.
- 2
  Mark the tape with the marker on the spot you want to make the hole.
- 3
  Place the carbide-tipped masonry drill bit onto the drill. Get the drill bit straight before locking it in place or it can damage the slate finish.
- 4
  Place the drill on the slowest speed setting possible.
- 5
  Start slowly drilling on the mark placed on the tape until you pass the top layer of the slate tile. Change to a faster setting and continue until you open the hole completely through the tile.
- 6
  Remove the tape and blow off any dust. You can now insert a wall anchor or other device into the slate tile.

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