Does any one out there have any experience with portable well drilling machines such as the "Deeprock well driller"or the "hydrodrill"? Thes units use a small tubular gantry and about a 5h.p. engine as a power head.Any idea as to cost?I have been to the web sites but no prices are listed and no real practical info is given about their true capabilities.Any info pro or con would be appreciated. Thank you.

-- Gregory J Smith (gsmith@tricountyi.net), January 31, 2001

Answers

We had one years ago (1977 or so) and used it to drill a couple of wells before selling it. I have no idea what they cost now. It worked okay, and saved us lots of money over having a driller come in. The accessories that they offer now look like they would make the project of putting in a well much easier.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), February 02, 2001.

I've drilled wells with a several thousand horsepower "Chicago Pneumatic" rotary air well drilling rig. Cost almost a half million bucks. Considering that this machine had to work its butt off to go through hard rock, and particularly through boulders, I'm a little skeptical about the "hard rock" name. I've heard they do ok in soft material, though.

If you've got hard material, and more time than money, you might want to find a second hand "cable tool"

JOJ

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@echoweb.neet), February 02, 2001.

I helped a friend drill a well with one of those little drilling rigs a few years ago. We did get 70 feet deep in about 5 days. At times it did well. If you have any hard rock it is extremely slow getting through it. Also getting stuck in the hole a few times was a real chore. all in all it was a real chore in my opinion.

-- Hammer (K3@alltel.net), February 07, 2001.