Is the Reamer I Have Good Enough? Adapted from Information by Melfred Borzall Although the fluted reamer that comes with your drill rig might seem like a great multipurpose reamer, it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution, especially if you’re looking to maximize production. Too many times, drill operators make the mistake of thinking one backreamer can do it all. The fluted reamer that comes with a rig is great under certain conditions, but there are several situations where a specialized reamer could increase production. Some issues to consider include: Insufficient Mixing Action - Fluted reamers generally provide insufficient mixing action, because it’s not what they’re designed for. This can be very problematic in combination soils like clay, where poor mixing can cause material to ball up. When drilling in soft ground, if you don’t get completely stuck, pulling your reamer back through sticky material will be slow going. Insufficient mixing and pumping action will result in your reamer simply displacing the material in the hole, rather than flowing the cuttings out. At the very least, you’ll have to do multiple passes through the same hole. Struggle in Sandy Conditions - Fluted reamers struggle in sandy conditions. The reamer typically can’t mix enough drilling fluid with sand to help stabilize the hole and keep it open. Without the right mixing function, you risk collapse. Your hole is much more likely to cave-in around the reamer itself or right behind your reamer, where you’re trying to pull product pipe. Flutes aren’t Deep Enough - Finally, even though fluted reamers are designed with openings (flutes) to carry slurry out the back of the hole, the flutes generally aren’t deep enough to allow enough material to pass through. As a result, you’re essentially shoving lots of material forward which will slow you down significantly during pullback, and could even cause inadvertent returns. Why use a fluted reamer? Fluted reamers perform well under certain conditions. The solid design and carbide cutters of fluted reamers make them ideally suited for abrasive, hard ground conditions like gravel or shale. Most fluted reamers are also typically under a couple feet long, which is pretty short. Because of this compact design, fluted reamers can perform well in tight areas. If you’re primarily using a fluted reamer for tight areas, it is recommended you add a couple of open blade reamers to your toolshed. Open blade reamers allow more mixing action when needed and feature tapered cutters which gradually bore through material. As always, your reamer choice depends on the material you’re in. The fluted reamer which comes with your drilling rig is great under certain conditions, but they do have limitations. DIR See us at Groundwater Week ~ Booth 1027 16 DECEMBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
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