Currently, there are many models of sinks that have a symmetrical shape. Such sinks are extremely convenient, as they can be installed both on the left side and on the right.

Some Models modern faucets: a - mixer for kitchen sink; b - a mixer for a kitchen sink with a shower screen on a flexible hose.

In order for the sink to be installed on any side, it does not have an exit under the mixer during manufacture.

It is assumed that a hole for the mixer of the required diameter will be made immediately before the installation of plumbing. On the one hand, this is very convenient, because it is not always possible to choose a sink with ready-made outlets due to a discrepancy in the parameters.

Single hole kitchen sink faucet: drawing.

Most ready-to-install kitchen sinks have a factory outlet of 32mm, while faucet diameters can be over 34mm. Currently, sinks without ready output how of of stainless steel as well as ceramics. For many, making a hole of the required diameter may seem like an impossible task, but in this case there are a number of measures that can be taken.

In some points of sale of such sinks, it is quite possible to use the services of specialists: they will select the outlet for the mixer desired diameter, will do everything with special tools. But such services are not provided everywhere, and the owners of sinks without a ready-made outlet for the mixer will have to make it on their own.

It’s worth saying right away that you can make a neat hole on your own only in stainless steel, while experimenting on a granite or ceramic kitchen sink is fraught, as the material may crack.

Work on the manufacture of outlets for communications in a ceramic sink must be carried out as carefully as possible so as not to spoil appearance shells. If possible, you need to purchase tools: for stainless steel, special cutters for making holes are sold; for ceramics, it is best to use diamond-coated drills. Drill through ceramic plumbing conventional drill will not work, as the ceramics will simply crack. However, it is quite possible to get by with some improvised means, but you need to act very carefully.

Tap hole in stainless steel sink

Diagram of the approximate dimensions of the kitchen sink.

There are several proven ways to drill smooth hole in stainless steel. It should be noted right away that it is impossible to make an exit under the mixer in an already installed plumbing, since due to the support on the countertop there is a possibility that the plumbing will crack. Before carrying out work, the sink must be turned upside down so that all its edges rest on the surface of the table, and only then proceed to work.

If it is possible to purchase or rent a special cutter for making holes, it will not be difficult to carry out the work. First of all, you need to make an initial hole with a drill and a 10 mm drill. Next, the cutter screw is inserted and tightened with the help of 2 keys, so it turns out that the metal is squeezed from 2 sides and pressed through by the press method. The diameter may vary depending on the type of cutter used. If it is not possible to purchase special device, you can use other methods.

So, in order to make an outlet for communications of the desired diameter in a stainless steel sink without using special means You will need the following tools and materials:

Scheme of the device mixer for the kitchen.

• marker;
• mounting tape;
• a hammer;
• round file;
• center punch

In order for the diameter to correspond to the norm, first of all it is necessary to make a circle from mounting tape right size and forms. The cut circle must be attached to the selected place under the mixer and circled with a marker in order to cut an even hole in the future. In addition, you need to mark the center in order to make the initial hole with a center punch. The tip of the punch should be directed to the center of the circle from the mounting tape and punch the initial hole with light taps. If you have a drill, you can drill with it. Next, the initial hole must be expanded with a round file to the boundaries noted earlier.

Just drilling an outlet for a faucet in a stainless steel sink is not enough, as the edges can turn out to be crooked, and it will be very problematic to align them later. After you get the exit under the mixer of the desired diameter, you need to carefully sand the edges of the cut, then you can proceed with the installation. To prevent further oxidation of the metal, the edges of a fresh saw cut must be treated with a sealant. After it hardens, you can proceed to install the sink.

When buying a sink made of acrylic stone, the client often encounters a similar difficulty as the lack of a hole for the tap. Of course, it is worth contacting specialists, but this issue can be resolved without outside help.

In order to understand how to drill an acrylic stone sink , you need to figure out from the very beginning what it is made of. There is no clear definition of "acrylic stone", so various manufacturers call this term different materials, distinguished by density and features.

The most popular are:

• ceramic granite;
• stone agglomerate (fragranite, silgranite and their analogues);
• fake diamond.

While working with each of these materials has its own specifics. To form with , with which drill to drill an acrylic stone sink, you need to understand from the very beginning what was actually purchased.

Porcelain stoneware countertops Porcelain stoneware is considered the most durable and strong of the materials listed above. He is not afraid of temperature and chemical influences, resistant to shock, scratches and so on. It stands out by the sonorous "glassy" sound. Other varieties of acrylic stone produce a duller sound due to the addition of plastic and polymer-based materials. Despite the fact that it is easier to make a hole in other materials than to drill a porcelain stoneware sink , Quite often, the choice of users falls on him. Taking into account the unusual density of the material, ordinary drills will be powerless here.

Only a crown or a drill with a carbide tip, best of all a diamond one, can handle porcelain stoneware. It will also be possible for sintered core drills to work with it, but their price is much higher, so they are selected infrequently, only if there is a need for a significant amount of work. Due to the high strength, while working with such material, it is necessary to cool the drill and the surface for working with water. It is necessary to work with ceramic granite at very low speeds (300-400 no more).

Read more about how to drill ceramic granite in this material.

Where to cut a hole?

Another significant question, which will arise no matter what materials the sink was purchased from, is to cut a hole in it with front side after the installation has taken place? Or do it before installation and with back side?

Each method has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

In the first version, the edges on the front side will be much smoother, but there is a chance to spoil the front side of the sink with a drill, and if it has a narrow rim, then split the edge.

In another option, the risk of spoiling the bowl is much less, but there is a chance of getting a sloppy edge of the hole on the front side. In many cases, this is not a problem, since the edges of the hole are closed with a tap. When turning over, there is an option to casually make a hole on the wrong side, thanks to this it is best to highlight the side on which you want to install water faucet.

In any of the ways, it is best to place the hole further from the edge of the product, but at the same time, without hitting the bowl. To do this, at the beginning of work, you need to attach the lower nut of the water tap to the sink and highlight its center.

Differences of stone algomerate shells

If, for example, you purchased a sink made of stone agglomerate, it will be a little easier to work with it.

Artificial stone sink from agglomerate Well-known manufacturers in most cases attach a cutter or core, which knocks out a piece of stone that has already been drilled, but not completely. If they are not present, then an excellent option is to use a diamond-coated cutter or crown and proceed as you would when working with porcelain stoneware.

A fostner cutter will also handle a hole in a stone agglomerate product. But get ready for the fact that then it will need to be sharpened, or even completely thrown away.

Be sure to read the instructions and operating rules before taking any action so as not to inadvertently lose the product warranty.

Fake diamond

If the sink is implemented as a single unit with the countertop and the same color as it, then it is acrylic decorative rock. Of the materials listed above, this one has the lowest density, which makes it the easiest to work with. If the purchased sink is actually made of artificial stone, then the answer to the question of how to drill a sink from acrylic stone is very simple - with traditional drills for working on metal or wood.

The hole for a typical faucet, in many cases, has a diameter of 35 mm. In an artificial stone product, it is easily drilled with a drill bit for woodworking or a forstner cutter of a similar diameter. You need to work at low or average speeds. When drilling of this material occurs, the vast majority of chips will appear, and which is part of the artificial stone, the plastic emits bad smell, somewhat reminiscent of epoxy-based glue.

Acrylic stone sinkAcrylic stone is the softest of all acrylic stone options, due to which a significant part of the countertops is made from it. If there is a need to make a hole in it for a sink or hob, it is better to practice in advance in the middle of the cut out part, so as not to harm the entire countertop. Ignoring the fact that the artificial stone without big problems it is sawn with a jigsaw; it is undesirable to cut it with it. When working with a jigsaw, in other words, stress concentrators (sharp transitions, sharp corners, small cracks) often appear, which affect the life of the product.

Sinks made of artificial stone do not always have a special cutout, so there is a need to make a hole in the sink yourself. A common obstacle is the fear of damaging or crushing the sink. Although close in properties to natural, in fact, it is more like plastic: or, better, a polymer mass mixed with stone chips.

The ratio of the amount of resin to stone chips may be very different. Regardless of the proportions, this material lends itself better to a drill than stone. However, you still need to be careful and careful. A sink made of artificial stone requires a careful attitude: it is not recommended to carry out any work until its temperature has become equal to room temperature.

How to avoid mistakes

Let's say you decide to make a hole with a drill with a cutter.

Often, experts make a hole when the sink is already installed in the countertop. This solution has only one advantage - the edge on the front side will be even. And he has much more shortcomings: you can scratch the stone, damage the sink, break off the edge, and so on.

Therefore, it is better to drill a hole from the back. But there is a chance that the hole from the outside will have an uneven appearance. However, a mixer will be located at this place, which will close the uneven edges. In this case, there is no risk of spoiling the front side of the sink.

There are two fundamentally different ways of working. The first involves working with a drill, and the second - knocking out weakened cast plugs provided for by the design. Let's consider each of them in order.

We make a hole in the sink made of artificial stone with a drill in stages:

On some sinks made of artificial stone, there are cast plugs that are knocked out during installation. They are usually color coded on the front. First of all, the sink is installed in place in the countertop, but is not fixed.

Then you need to pick right tool and beat off the plugs with a strong blow with a hammer. A punch with a diameter of 8 mm is suitable for this role, but not a screwdriver. You need to knock out the cork only from above: that is, from the front side. Using a rasp, the uneven edges of the hole are smoothed out.

In this way, you can make a hole for the mixer.

1. The center is marked and a circle is drawn.
2. Using a drill, holes are drilled along the circumference, the distance between which is 4 mm.
3. To prevent cracks from being knocked out, fix the sink firmly.

If there is a need to increase the radius of the hole, you need to draw another circle of the desired size. All from the same front side, cuts are made at a distance of 4 mm along the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe circle. Using a punch or chisel, remove unnecessary parts.

Gone are the days when the vast majority of people had enameled sinks in their kitchens. Today, each person can, depending on the kitchen interior designed by the interior designer, install sinks from the most various materials. However, such “permissiveness” can cause difficulties if, in addition to a standard mixer, you wish to install additional equipment (filters or systems for water purification, dispensers detergents etc).

Drilling holes in granite, manual:

This is especially true for mine, which are made from natural or artificial materials(granite, porcelain stoneware, ceramics, stone and so on). The high hardness and brittleness of these materials presents a certain difficulty in drilling, especially if you decide to make required hole on one's own.

In order to drill a hole in, you will need: hand drill, carbide or diamond cutter, victorious drill diameter 6 - 8 mm, coolant and a "spray" that can be made from a bottle of household detergents. As a cutter, at home, you can use a diamond or bimetallic “crown”, which can be purchased at hardware or tool stores, and it is advisable to use unizor or emulsol as a cutting fluid. If you are unable to purchase these liquids, then you can use soapy water. And actually the kitchen sink itself, I bought myself a GRANFEST F-12 model, black.

Rice. 1 GRANFEST F-12 top view

Rice. 2 GRANFEST F-12 bottom view

Rice. 3 Cutter

On most models of branded sinks, with reverse side, several small recesses are applied, which will help us avoid centering the future hole. According to the operating instructions for the equipment that you are going to install additionally, select the place for its future installation.

Using a drill with a diameter equal to the diameter of the guide cutter or head, drill a hole. Important: the drill must "float" in the cutting fluid. This is necessary for several reasons:
1. You do not need to apply excessive force when drilling.
2. In this way, you can save the sharpening of the drill and thereby extend its service life.
3. And, finally, it will help to avoid excessive heating of the granite sink itself and thereby prevent its destruction.

Rice. 4 Drill an intermediate hole

After you have drilled the hole, turn your sink over and attach a cutter or crown to the drill and start drilling the diameter you need. Needless to say, the diameter of the cutter or hole saw must be equal to the setting diameter. additional equipment. All modern faucets mounting hole equals 3.5cm. It is necessary to drill a hole with a cutter or a head from the front side, since chips may form at the exit due to the fact that it is almost impossible to determine the last seconds of drilling and reduce the load on the drill in time. Do not forget that at this stage of drilling a hole, you need to "fill" the tool with your cutting fluid. Unlike drilling a hole with a drill, you don't need to apply too much pressure on the drill.

Rice. 5 Drill a hole with a cutter

As a result of the last stage of work, you should get a kind of donut, which will indicate that you did not warp the drill during drilling and completed your task with high quality.

Rice. 6 Finished hole

The hole for the mixer is ready. Good luck!

Nowadays, the question often arises of how to drill a hole in a granite sink. A similar circumstance is connected with the fact that in most cases, when purchasing the specified plumbing product, it does not have the mounting holes necessary to install a faucet or flush switch.

Certainly the most simple option there will be the help of specialists, although, subject to the basic recommendations, this procedure can be performed independently.

Types of "granite" sinks

Despite the fact that almost all plumbing manufacturers call their sinks the loud word granite, in fact, this is not entirely true. And a more appropriate term would be "artificial stone." So, each manufacturer has its own idea of ​​what belongs to this category and what components should be present in such a product.

For us, before choosing a cutting tool for drilling mounting holes, it is very important to know what kind of material we will have to deal with ( varying degrees density and hardness).

Therefore, when the sink has already been delivered, the first thing to do is to familiarize yourself with technical specifications products and specify the type base material. Most often, for the manufacture of such plumbing, porcelain stoneware, polymer-mineral compositions (fragranite, silgranite) or acrylic stone.

How to drill a porcelain tile sink

Among the above materials, porcelain stoneware is the most durable. Plus to everything this component quite resistant to chemical and temperature influences and easily resists mechanical stress. His distinctive feature is an ringing sound, which just indicates the minimum presence of artificial additives.

The downside of this strength is the complexity of processing porcelain stoneware, and it will be unrealistic to make a hole in such a sink with an ordinary drill. That is why it will be possible to drill a hole in this case using cutting tools (milling cutters, drills, crowns) equipped with hard alloy solders (for example, diamond).

When working with such a tool, you should be very careful and prevent it from overheating, for which it is recommended to cool the drills (crowns) with water (it is supplied to the drilling site in a thin stream) and drill at low speeds (not higher than 400 rpm).

As a continuous feeder cold water can serve plastic bottle with a hole in the lid. By pressing on the water bottle, the resulting jet, entering the drilling site, will cool the tool well. More details on the technique of how to cut porcelain stoneware can be found in the following article.

Cutting tool must remain in the water at all times.

How to drill a sink from agglomerate

The second most durable material for the manufacture of kitchen sinks is fragranite (silgranite), which is why it will be somewhat easier to prepare a hole in this element. In addition, many brands offer the user to simply knock out the desired hole with a metal bar (8mm diameter). Why the product provides areas with prepared recesses. This is done so that the user can independently choose the location of the mixer, depending on the right or left location of the wing.

If you are not ready to use the proposed method (there is a possibility of chipping), then again you can use a diamond-coated cutter (crown) and make a hole according to the above algorithm.

A more democratic option would be to use the Faustner cutter, which will also cope with the task. However, after a couple of such drillings, the cutter will not be suitable for subsequent use.

Often, agglomerate sinks provide places for knocking out holes, however, despite this, many consumers complain that it is not possible to knock out a hole without problems. Since a visible chip may form on the front of the sink. To prevent this from happening, you should carefully study the instructions for installing the plumbing fixture, and only after that proceed with the work.

If we consider the manufacturer's recommendations, then to punch holes in the product, you should use a metal core with a diameter of about 8 mm and strike at a strictly marked point on the front side of the product (usually the places for installing the mixer are marked with a signal color sticker - yellow, red or green). If you try to perform the specified operation from the back of the sink, there is a possibility of chipping.

Well, in order not to carry out these works on weight, it is more justified to first install the sink in a given place, and only after that, using a core and a hammer, make a hole in a strictly designated place.

Please note that the location of the intended hole should have a cylindrical recess on the back of the sink.

How to drill an acrylic stone sink

Due to the fact that acrylic stone is the least durable among the listed materials, it is easiest to drill holes in it. And even conventional drill on wood can cope with the task. However, given that the standard hole for mounting the mixer should have a diameter of 35mm, it is still more justified to use a spade drill or a Faustner drill.