Schmitt's 'Let Me Tell Ya'

Changes in the Drilling Industry

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0500

In recent months four long time in business local contractors have joined forces to become two. Observed by the author, it seems that trend is picking up.

Rocks in a Hard Place: Tackling Boulders in Cable Tool Drilling

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Sun, 19 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

In this edition of Schmitt's 'Let Me Tell Ya,' John Schmitt explores the challenges of encountering boulders in cable tool drilling and offers practical advice and historical perspectives on how to manage and overcome these underground obstacles effectively.

Drilling Enigmas: Two Unusual Michigan Well Casings

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Drilling expert John E. Schmitt delves into the peculiarities of two unique cable tool drilling casings encountered in Southern Michigan, exploring their unconventional characteristics and the mysteries surrounding their use, in his latest 'Let Me Tell Ya' column.

Guy Lines for a Spudder?

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Exploring the depths of traditional cable tool drilling, this edition of the “Let Me Tell Ya” column dives into the enduring legacy and unexpected lessons from the masts and guy lines of drilling rigs.

With Groundwater Week 2023 Over, We Reflect on Years Passed

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:30:00 -0500

Columnist, former NGWA President John Schmitt shares recollections of national conventions going back decades.

The Last Chapter – Perhaps – on Cable-Tool Fishing

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt wraps up a series on fishing tools, with detailed descriptions and use recommendations.

Spudder Rigs: Recounting Two Phone Calls and a Catalog

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt talks about recent inquiries about cable-tool drill rigs and a 1950s 20W publication.

Cable-Tool Fishing Operation? Keep These Items Handy

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Explanations for lesser-used, maybe lesser-known items to have on hand for a cable-tool fishing operation.

Using a Combination Socket in a Cable-Tool Fishing Operation

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt walks readers through a basic cable-tool fishing operation using a combination socket.

Advanced Drill Tool Fishing: Wire-line Cutting Downhole

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Wed, 24 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt walks readers through cutting a line before tool retrieval with a combination socket.

An Explanation of Fishing Tools for a Cable-Tool Drill Rig

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt walks readers through his early experiences with pump hoists in water well drilling.

A Few Last Words about Pump Hoists

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt rounds out his pump hoist series with thoughts on pump pullers and rotating masts.

Modern-Day Pump Hoists: an Evolution in Lifting

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt talks about the similarities, differences in modern pump hoists in water well drilling.

The Early Days of Pump Hoists in Drilling

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt walks readers through his early experiences with pump hoists in water well drilling.

What Did Drillers Do Before Pump Hoists?

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt fills us in on installation, servicing work before this critical invention.

Cable-Tool Fishing? Have a Plan Before it Happens

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt talks fishing for drill tools and the importance of getting it right the first time.

Fishing Tools for a Spudder Operation: the Jar Bumper

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt walks us through fishing tools for cable-tool drilling starting with the jar bumper.

Beyond the Tool String: Pulling Casing Using Brute Force

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt builds on his cable-tool discussion. This month, he gets into using jacks and casing rings.

Beyond the Tool String: Using a Casing Spear on a Spudder

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 14:30:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt builds on his cable-tool string discussion. This month, he talks about casing spears.

Beyond the Tool String: Pulling Casing Using a Spudder

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt builds on his cable-tool string discussion. This month, he talks about methods to pull casing.

Beyond the Tool String: Casing Elevators, Other Lifting Methods

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt builds on his cable-tool string discussion. This month, he talks casing elevators and lifters.

Beyond the Tool String: Drive Clamps for Casing

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt expands on his cable-tool string discussion. This month, he talks drive clamps.

Beyond the Tool String: All about Slurry Bailers

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt talks dart, flat-bottom and other bailers used in a cable-tool drilling program.

Beyond the Tool String: Stem Guides and Wire-Line Savers

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Columnist John Schmitt goes beyond the cable-tool string to discuss other components of a well operation.

Selecting More Tools for Our Cable-Tool Drilling Program

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Once you’ve chosen tool string components, you put them all together with wrenches or jacks.

Specialty Cable-Tool Drill Bits for Underdigging, Reaming

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt rounds out his discussion of specialized cable-tool bits for particular drilling challenges.

Specialty Cable-Tool Drill Bits for Difficult Formations

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Columnist John Schmitt talks twisted bits, star bits and others designed for particular drilling challenges.

The Most Important Part of a Spudder Drill String: The Drill Bit

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0500

The bit in cable tool applications makes the hole, but it also mixes cuttings so they can be bailed out.

Spudder Drill Strings: The ABCs of a Drill Stem

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Simple, round steel bar designed to add weight for driving the drill bit.

Spudder Drill Strings: What Do Drilling Jars Do?

Hazyschmitt@aol.com (John Schmitt) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Drilling jars connect to the socket and enable cable tool drillers to “jar” a stuck string loose.