Drilling in Rock:
Patience is the cornerstone of a successful bore in hard rock formations. Rather than forcing the bit, allow it to work at its natural pace. Apply steady pressure—starting with 500 pounds of forward thrust—and adjust based on bore site conditions. Excessive pressure can overheat and damage the bit. Rotational torque should also begin at 500 pounds and generally doesn’t need to exceed 1,500 pounds of thrust. Slower rotation allows the Incredibit to maximize efficiency, letting it drill effectively with controlled pressure.
Drilling in Soft Conditions:
Drilling in softer formations requires a technique similar to using a flat-bill bit. The focus remains on controlled forward movement, adapting pressure as needed for the specific conditions.
Effective Steering Methods
Steering in Rock:
Steering in rock formations involves a methodical process of creating relief and progressing gradually. Push into the rock, cut to create a relief, pull back, and then rotate before repeating the process. For a standard Incredibit, aim to push in at 10 o’clock and rotate to 2 o’clock. For an aggressive Incredibit, push in at 9 o’clock and rotate to 1 o’clock. After relief is created, drill slowly into the path of least resistance. The Incredibit’s patented concave steering channel is designed to follow this natural path.
Steering in Soft Conditions:
In softer conditions, steering with the Incredibit resembles working with a flat-bill bit: turn and push. However, the Incredibit’s superior steering efficiency means you’ll likely need to push only half as far as with a flat-bill bit to achieve the same result. New users should frequently check their location to prevent oversteering in these conditions.
Proper Assembly for Optimal Performance
To ensure optimal performance, follow these steps to assemble the Incredibit:
- Install the O-ring at the back of the bit.
- Hand-tighten the bolts into the bolt holes.
- Using a torque wrench, tighten the bolts to the specified foot-pounds as indicated in the instructions or on the bit’s label.
Tips to Reduce Wear
Proper use of drilling mud is critical to minimize wear on the Incredibit. Drilling mud serves to:
- Seal the hole.
- Suspend and flush out cuttings.
- Prevent premature wear on downhole tools.
Avoid using plain water or water mixed only with polymer. Ensure sufficient mud volume to clear cuttings, especially in soft conditions where outrunning the mud can lead to tool wear. The Incredibit operates efficiently with volume rather than high-pressure mud. Keep pressure under 500 psi, and avoid using dirty mud from recovery systems, as it can erode the water ports.
The Railhead Incredibit is engineered to drill through the toughest rocky conditions, designed to out steer every other tool on the market, typically making corrections in half the time required by other imitators and conventional tooling. The design allows smaller machines that had been previously unsuccessful to complete tough condition bores. The Incredibit bores in a manner different than any other tool, by drilling in a random elliptical pattern, creating an annular space larger than the tooling. This reduces wear, increases flow and allows for faster corrections. The newly designed door with thicker hold down tabs and a rounded top, increases the service life and adds protection for your transmitter. Find the Railhead Incredibit at Georgia Underground Superstore, the largest utility construction superstore, with a staff ready to serve you with 30 plus years of directional drilling experience.
Find the Railhead Incredibit here: https://georgiaunderground.net/brands/Railhead.html