One
- Problem
- Worn bit head
- Probable cause
- Typical signs of back reaming to remove the hammer from a collapsed hole
- Corrective action
- Improve flushing, more air
- Use water or foam in flushing air to stabilize the hole
Two
- Problem
- Bit striking face damage
- Probable cause
- Difficult to find signs causing this damage, but most probably wrong type of tools have been used to remove the foot valve when replaced
- Corrective action
- Use correct tools (foot valve puller)
Three
- Problem
- Lost buttons
- Probable cause
- A lot of “free hammering” to remove a hammer that is stuck in a hole
- Corrective action
- More care cleaning the hole when drilling in bad rock formations
Four
- Problem
- Button breakage
- Probable cause
- Excessive wear of metal in bit body
- Corrective action
- Decrease flushing to reduce sand blasting
- Change to a bit with more or bigger flushing holes
- Regrind buttons to reduce protrusion
More Article
- Down The Hole Drilling Trouble Shooting – Hammer Piston Casing Breakage
- Down The Hole Drilling Trouble Shooting – Treaded
- Selection of DTH Drilling Tools
- Rotary Drilling Method
- General Drilling Method and Application
- DTH Drilling Care & Maintenance – Part One
- DTH Drilling Care & Maintenance – Part Two
- Basic DTH and Top Hammer Drilling Knowledge
- Well Drilling Method
- Rock Properties
- Rock Drillability
- How to Repair Drill Bit
- DTH(Down The Hole) Drilling Application