Drilling Hole Thru Ceramic Floor?

In order to vent a dryer thru a ceramic floor, I need to make an existing hole about 1" wider. Any ideas of what tools to use or procedures to follow that will get the job done without cracking the tile? Thanks....rjm

Easy: a carbide masonry drill bit to start a pilot hole and a carbide tipped hole saw of the right size. For 4" vent pipe you only need a 4 1/8" hole, unless something else is in the way.

The carbide-tipped hole saw is clearly the best route. If for some reason that option isn't available to you, I use a couple of other methods sometimes.

A Roto Zip tool with a tile bit functions just like a sabre saw. The manufacturer doesn't recommend it for floor tiles, but I use it all the time.

If you're willing to settle for a rectangular hole, I've also used an angle grinder (hand-held) with a masonery cut-off wheel, or a dry-cut diamond blade. Just lower the blade straight down into the tile as if you were using a circle-saw.

Again, these solutions are poor second choices to the carbide hole saw.

Dannie

I don't think he can use the hole saw to enlarge an existing hole (no pilot hole). I have used a dremil tool with a carbide bur to cut thru tile before.