NEWS & PR

New Diamond Drill to Tackle Grade 5 Porcelain

13 September 2006

The demand for a product to drill hard tiles, in particular grade 5 porcelain, has increased over the past few years. However, demand will now only intensify due to the shortage of clay in familiar tile manufacturing countries such as Italy and Spain. In fact, many tile manufacturers have already switched their production from standard ceramic tiles to man-made porcelain.

This hasn’t really helped plumbers, bathroom fitters, kitchen fitters and a host of other tradesmen because there has never really been a quick and suitable product for drilling holes through very hard tiles, such as grade 5 porcelain. Ask any plumber, and he or she will no doubt confirm its one of the major problems they face day-in day-out.

Premier Diamond Products Ltd believe they have the answer with a new, patented range of diamond drills, which they say, work superbly on all tile families up to and including very hard grade 5 porcelain.

PDP contest that this is the first ever product that really does work as expected on hard tiles. In tests through grade 5 porcelain, a 6mm diameter bit drilled 46 holes averaging just 1 minute per hole. On the same tile a well known rival product managed only 1 hole in 15 minutes, after which the product was spent.

The key to the outstanding product performance lies in a breakthrough in diamond welding technology. This patented manufacturing process sees each grain of natural diamond being individually welded to the tip. PDP Managing Director, Terry Webb, contends that individually welded diamonds ensure that the excellent cutting properties of diamond are used to their full benefit rather than being hindered by a standard welding process.

Moving on to the design of the system, there is a left-handed helical spiral behind the diamond tip that retains and draws a small amount of water towards the diamond tip, this is opposite to the way that a right-handed spiral of a masonry drill would pull the debris out of the hole. The water is applied via a patented 2-in-1 drill guide and water cooler system that is stuck to the tile by four sucker cups. The plastic drill guide has a series of pre-drilled pilot holes that are used to stop the drill “wandering” on start-up, whilst the front part of the system is filled with water which then supplies a small, albeit, consistent drip of water directly onto the left-hand spiral of the drill, which of course is then pulled towards the diamond tip.

PDP know that the market for this product is huge because other products available for drilling hard tiles are expensive and most require the use of a portable pressurised water tank amongst a bewildering array of adaptors and connectors. PDP’s diamond tile drills are inexpensive, easy to use and perform beyond all expectations.

The range of sizes has been carefully chosen and there are several key applications for each diameter. Sizes 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, & 10mm are in stock now, as is a handy 5 piece set supplied in a plastic case. Larger sizes for copper pipes and other plumbing related applications up to 35mm are planned for October. Additionally, a small merchandiser is available to help promote the product at trade counters.