How To Drill Holes in Granite or Quartz Countertop & Vessel Sink Placement

[@lemuelseale1640]

In the professional business we use a grinder with a diamond bit attachment. The bit is a lot beefier, and more tolerant to heat. The problem With trying more than a couple of holes with the bit used here is that you have to be very careful and take it slow to prevent, not the bit, but the granite/quartz from overheating. The slab tends to be very cool, and the heat generated in the hole often causes the quartz to crack especially when the hole is in close proximity to another penetration (i.e. under-mounted sinks, other holes for 2-3hole fixtures.) we use a water bottle with a hole at the cap to continuously drip water onto the hole to help heat mitigation

[@jdgower1]

I work on granite fabrication equipment, and that's pretty much what I was going to say. The shops I work in prefer the cheap store brand water bottles for stuff like this because they are WAY thinner and easier to squeeze and control the water flow. Also I'd like to point out that the water isn't just for cooling the granite and the tool. It turns the dust into a flowable slurry that more easily evacuates the kerf of the cut, so that you don't have to keep stopping during the cut / coring. A happy little side effect of that slurry is that it also acts as something of a polishing compound while in the kerf, which makes a smoother cut with fewer crack nucleation sites. All that said, a constant flow of even a little bit of water is the best way to go for all the reasons Lemuele said and what I have observed in many dozens of shops over the last decade plus.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

You guys are brilliant. THANK YOU for taking the time to share your knowledge. It adds a lot.

[@jdgower1]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom Something I learned a long time ago is that if you want to figure out the best way to do something, talk to someone who has been doing it for a living for a good while. Lemuele would be better than me since he actually does it, while I only see other people do it. That said, another tip I feel you should know, is instead of using a Sharpie to mark stone, get either a colored wax pencil or one of those fine tip "White-Out" paint pens - in whatever color suits your fancy. Wax and White-Out are pretty much impervious to the water you should use copious amounts of, plus they are really easy to clean off. Wax pencils are typically used for rough cutting dimensions, but the White-Out" pins make a much narrower and precise line for layouts like in this video - plus, there is no need for Painter's tape. In my experience, most guys use red or white wax pencils and orange or white White-Out pens, because those two colors are usually easily seen on most slabs. Exceptions apply - You only want to use white pens or pencils on dark granite, and on mostly white stone (or pretty much anything but red engineered stone) the red and orange colors work better.

[@mr.m2556]

Ben nicely done. Here is a tip to share for the next time....using plumbers puddy make a rope then form it into a dam then after you have started your hole enough you can then add water into your dam to cool the bit till it cuts through.

[@AdrianVann]

Great tip! I was looking for a 2 inch water well kit, but could only find it smaller than I need on Amazon. That’s a great idea instead.

[@truesimplicity]

Safety goggles, especially for your young observer. Great video...

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

True. Thanks for the reminder.

[@HelicopterBill]

For aquariums we drilled a hole through a piece of wood, clamped it to the aquarium, filled the hole with water, then drilled the glass. Same principle should work here.

[@wetrock2766]

Take a piece of wood, drill a hole in it with your diamond saw, no water needed, and set it on your slab. Hold it down with duct tape or double sided tape or someone, or stand up on it and drill away until you are an eight of an inch deep. Remove the wood and keep going using plenty of water. No risk of scratching the surface and very precise.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Great tip!

[@Johnny-vu7db]

Great video. I like to have a helper with a spray bottle of clean water, spraying a shot every two seconds at the bit. I don't think it goes faster, but, the diamond saw seems to last longer and there's no dust.

[@jeremie2599]

Thank Benjamin I’m happy to see you back on the spot

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

You bet! I'm still kicking!

[@axecuttimber8307]

Great job Benjamin and Ole !!!

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Thanks!

[@James-lk3fp]

Great video 👍 love the ford hat.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

I'm a Ford fan that's for sure! It's my grandpa's fault. Runs in the family. :)

[@gregrichard9192]

Ben the master craftsman Great job 👍

[@davidmckinney6577]

Good job buddy 👍 I just watched your brother Reuben put in a restaurant fan on the roof.. very good video buddy 👍

[@tompeters4234]

That was a nice tip about staring at an angle. I rarely every need larger holes so I never thought about it far, but sure went a lot smoother than the bouncy bounce if you start flat on. For the record, I chuckled at the 'Chinese bits', in America, it's a strong indicator it's made in China if it's mm (for us in the US).

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Yeah apparently it wasn't funny to everyone! I really don't mind the metric system.

[@wallykramer7566]

If the product is intended for any world market (other than the U.S.), it is marked in metric units. There are a few minor African nations which haven't adopted metric, but not many (maybe like 3 out of 54 African nations).

[@mikez4132]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom I used metric for years working on motorcycles...Japanese motorcycles... I know most on sight as with Imperial sockets...but I often wondered what metric socket you use on an 10 1/2mm bolt hahahah jkjk

[@terryguldin8746]

To make a guide, cut through a piece of Hardie Backer first. You can then use this hole as a guide and a water vessel for cooling and dust containment.

[@oskardogrushfan]

I can't believe nobody commented on the "Tool Shop" drill from Menards! I guess only the midwesterners would catch that. I bought a $24 hammer drill (too; shop) to mount some porch railings into my poured concrete steps, it last about 2.5 holes. Not much luck with tool shop stuff Ben! Great vid as always!

[@hamadilawson4396]

Tool shop brand is definitely crap!

[@bushratbeachbum]

Piss with the cock ya got. If you broke a drill after 2 holes, you're the problem. I've used and seen people using cheap drills for years. If you're a meat head, you'll break tools.

[@harrismohammad5009]

Very nice. Simple and straight to point.

[@advocatedaniyallawnotes]

Your new visitor hope you and your family are having a very peaceful new year loved your informative video 💕💕❤️👌 loved to be connected with you

[@wetrock2766]

The American congress adopted the modern metric system when the republic was founded or about. Strangely some prefered keeping the imperial system inherited from the hated British.

[@bushratbeachbum]

And the blindly "patriotic" see it as their idiotic badge of honour. Pathetic and hilarious!

[@ricardobernardo2603]

Nice

[@billb.2673]

Good job Ben.

[@richardjerome1737]

This is so helpful. Thank you

[@Elbwobbler77]

wow that's a great video and channel. 👍Keep it up. Many greetings😊

[@deldeek]

Nicely done , I think I’ll use a piece of ply wood to help drill down straight don’t think I can pull off the angle 📐 approach you did 😆

[@mindset-s7y]

Love your videos. Congratulations!!!

[@dontblameme6328]

"Measured in chinese...." that's a great line! 😂😂😂

[@360EZ]

Cute cat 🐈 😊

[@alexitosrv]

for those materials like granite, do you use the hammer setting in your drill? I've found conflicting info so far so I'd appreciate an answer.

[@Duck4Evers]

Great informative video, thank you. Quick question, how did you secure the granite to the vanity?

[@DregGayton777]

I've seen some videos use blue tape and some not...may I ask what it is used for? Thanks!

[@noy6184]

how long will it take to get one hole?

[@suspicionofdeceit]

That’s the Metric system and it a absolutely a European invented system. Not Chinese in any way.

[@naomisahlstrom]

Don’t worry, his wife likes metric better! ;)

[@berniemac8413]

I’m sure the drill bit was made in China.. that’s why he said it was Chinese..

[@philnguyen5038]

China sucks

[@myviews469]

I marble tiles on concrete block I need to fasten base molding on drywall but no studs so i have no choice but to use anchors or mason screws but I need to drill hole and I am not sure if I can use a concrete bit on the marble tile.

[@derekatkins8494]

"This is measured in Chinese" 🤣 I'm sure you offended a lot of people with that one

[@anduinwithers]

Yup, enough for me unsubscribe, had been getting close already. We all learned the metric system in US schools. Somehow less concern about sockets, wrenches, soda bottles and bullets strangely.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Haha oops. Was supposed to be a joke!

[@tompeters4234]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom I thought it was a funny joke.

[@bhough410]

@@anduinwithers Not sure where or when you went to school. They definitely did not teach the metric system in any of the public schools I attended, with the small exception of high school science labs used it to measure.

[@henryclarke1117]

Hey man, that's the metric system and not only do the Chinese use it but the whole rest of the world does. There are only 3 countries in the world that use imperial inches feet etc! These are 3rd world countries of Myanmar, Liberia and then USA (which many would debate its status). Anyway read up on the metric system and you will see how it makes the imperial system look like a joke. I guess if you dont plan to travel for any length of time or work outside the USA then imperial will be fine for you. Ignorance is bliss! Btw, nice video, great tips for me to drill my counter!

[@gerhardweber2043]

35 "mm" is used from the rest of the world ...... beside USA.....and btw. makes more sense

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

True and I agree!

[@ericsnow4951]

Do you have a video on conduit fill, based on NEC code book? If not you should make one.

[@GroovyMisfit]

"This is measured in Chinese." ROFL. 🤣 I love it.

[@Dmitrytln]

You shouldn't remove sink while drilling hole. Those hole cutters are for working with templates. You can drill hole in piece of wood and then use this for pilot in granite.

[@nikupatel9]

Use plumber putty around the hole and put water

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Great suggestion!

[@tompeters4234]

That is a great idea.

[@camerondave67]

If you were drilling Porcelain tile with this method, that bit would be toast! Needs continuous water flow to prevent overheating!!

[@technicalnoorikhan6341]

Good sar

[@rebirth_mishap]

That's Oklahoma or Nebraska right there

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Southwest Minnesota believe it or not! Nebraska is only like 3 hours away though.

[@noy6184]

great video. thank you so much. local guys want $400 per hole. no thanks

[@CupidFromKentucky]

Napoleon is to thank for the metric system. Not the Chinese. Avoid those comments.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Yeah my bad. I wasn't serious as I'm sure you know but sounds like people don't like me to be "funny".

[@solangecastillo93]

What is the name of this granite?

[@polo94700]

*No other comments*

[@harrisonkatzz7090]

EVERYBODY IS PISSED AT YOU , WHAT RPM IS THE DRILL

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

The drill was variable speed from 0 to 3,000 RPM. Worked like a charm.

[@joelblauvelt6749]

Not Everybody.....

[@electron1012]

Would normal wood bits work?

[@andrejstefanovski]

not at all. the correct type of bit does not have any teeth, it's textured like a grinding stone and will be labeled for 'masonry'

[@electron1012]

@@andrejstefanovski orrrrrrr ok man . Here in the Caribbean all I see is wooden or masonry circle saws. I would have to order off Amazon

[@wetrock2766]

There is only one thing that can make precise holes in granit and hard stone and it's diamond coated bits used preferably with lots of water to cool it.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

No it won't. Maybe if you pushed hard enough though! ;)

[@johnford3761]

Great video BUT please get safety glasses!

[@elliopayne]

“Measured in Chinese” proceeded to show millimetres 🤣🤣🤣

[@hardnock-theoriginal..6539]

tip for diy'ers... use some plumbers putty, or clay and make a small round dam around the area to be drilled.. then fill with water and drill..

[@josephbuys]

Also, don't forget to wear your safety goggles and mask!

[@tompeters4234]

Masks, especially if the granite cam from China, it could have the covie... ....YES... that was meant a humor .....

[@wetrock2766]

If water is used there is no dust but slurry, mask is optional.

[@gregszymanski3978]

Metric is "measured in Chinese"

[@user-qw6hb9dq1d]

The kids hat! MAGA2024🎉

[@DTCHANNEL8590]

The video is very good, complementary and interesting. same like share sub !!!! Like 222

[@1971mav]

It's measured in Chinese? You mean the metric system? lol

[@networkedperson]

uhhh... metric is not Chinese...

[@kodaeninc.6726]

Metric unit, bro lol

[@tinysolarshack9615]

Chinese seriously? It’s called Metric.

[@wallykramer7566]

Which originally came from French scientists. Undoubtedly, the English took offense to using something French; England _still_ marks their highways in miles!

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

IT WAS A JOKE!! :)

[@neoshooter3187]

You are funny to call size in Metric system (which most of the world uses) Chinese. ;-)

[@bhough410]

In US most tools that are available in metric are made in China or Taiwan.

[@henryclarke1117]

@@bhough410 most tools, especially cheaper ones are made in china or taiwan. Metric is used in all countries of the world except for 3 (and they 2 poor countries and the USA). imperial inches feet etc is really a joke.

[@kyletennyson687]

Millimeter measurements are not measurements in "Chinese." Yikes.

[@JeremySchimpf]

Measured in Chinese? 🤦🏼

[@lukewalker7305]

measured in Chinese🤣

[@danielng8699]

You should not let your kid close to breath the harmful dust.

[@andrewk5420]

Couldn't one use a holesaw with a pilot drill bit? And you had no mask or goggles and your son around!? OMG! Also, funny comment about the metric system...

[@bhough410]

It's amazing how many vids there are drilling stone/masonry and no one seems to wear a mask!?! Lungs aren't very good at getting rid of rock dust. Silicosis is a very real thing!