PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) drill bits represent the cutting edge of drilling technology for HDD and directional drilling applications. Featuring fixed cutters made of synthetic diamond materials sintered under extreme high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) conditions, PDC bits deliver 2-4x faster penetration rates than conventional tricone bits in sandstone, limestone, and shale formations through efficient shearing action.
Drillworx supplies professional-grade PDC pilot bits, reamers, and rock bits from multiple manufacturers. With over 118 PDC bit configurations in stock — and more than 1,139 total bit products across all categories — we carry one of the largest drilling bit inventories in the region. Our PDC selection covers pilot holes, hole opening, and production drilling across soft to medium-hard formations. With synthetic diamond cutters bonded to tungsten carbide substrates, PDC bits provide unmatched hardness and wear resistance, reducing bit trips and lowering cost per foot on your drilling projects. Call us for sizes and configurations not shown here.
This is just a sample. Our full PDC bit inventory includes over 118 configurations — plus 1,139+ total bit products across PDC, tricone, hammer, HDD, and drag bit categories. Call 715-298-5893 for our complete catalog.
Understanding the science behind superior cutting performance:
PDC cutters are manufactured by sintering synthetic diamond powder with a metal binder (typically cobalt) onto a tungsten carbide substrate under extreme HPHT conditions. Modern manufacturing uses pressures of 5.5-6 GPa and temperatures of 1400-1500 degrees C to achieve high-density diamond-to-diamond bonds that create exceptional hardness and cutting efficiency.
PDC cutters come in various sizes (8-19mm diameter) engineered for different performance priorities. Common sizes include 13mm and 16mm for general use, with thicker diamond tables (2-3mm) on premium cutters for abrasive or hard rock applications.
2-4x faster drilling in sandstone, shale, and limestone. PDC shearing action is more efficient than tricone crushing mechanics.
200-800 rotating hours in optimal conditions vs 50-300 hours for tricone. No bearings to fail or moving parts to wear.
Excellent directional control for accurate navigation. Fixed-cutter design provides smoother drilling with less vibration.
15-30% lower drilling costs in suitable formations. Fewer bit changes mean less tripping time and improved safety.
We stock a wide selection for pilot holes, reaming, and production drilling — these are just some of the types we carry:
Maximize PDC bit performance with proper drilling parameters:
Selecting the right PDC bit for your geology:
Understanding when each bit type delivers the best value:
| ROP Advantage | 40-60% faster in soft formations |
| Bit Life | 200-800 hrs vs 50-300 hrs (tricone) |
| Cost Savings | 15-30% lower cost/ft in suitable formations |
| Trip Reduction | Single PDC often replaces multiple tricones |
| Best For | Shale, clay, moderate sandstone, limestone |
Economic Formula: Higher upfront cost offset by 2-3x footage at 2-4x speed equals dramatically lower total drilling cost.
| Formation Type | Very hard, abrasive, or fractured rock |
| Risk Factor | Lower cost if PDC fails early |
| Tolerance | Better in boulder/gravel conditions |
| Hydraulics | More forgiving of lower flow rates |
| Best For | Hard stringers, chert, granite, unknown formations |
Risk Management: A $1,000 tricone that drills 10 ft in surprise hard rock is better than a $5,000 PDC that fails at 10 ft.
Diagnose problems and optimize performance:
Symptoms: Chipped, fractured, or worn cutter edges
Causes:
Solutions:
Symptoms: Erratic torque, RPM fluctuations, uneven wear
Types:
Solutions:
Symptoms: Polished/glassy cutters, heat checking cracks
Causes:
Solutions:
Causes:
Prevention & Solutions:
Before Drilling:
During Drilling:
After Pulling:
Pilot holes and reaming for telecommunications, utilities, gas lines, and water mains. Superior steering control and fast penetration rates. Slant-face bits enable steering without downhole motors in soft ground up to 3,500 PSI.
Faster drilling in sandstone and limestone aquifers. Reduced bit changes for improved productivity. PDC bits often vastly outlast tricones in limestone and dolomite water well applications.
Production drilling through sedimentary formations. Extended bit life reduces costly bit trips. PDC bits drill directional laterals far faster than tricones, making unconventional drilling economically feasible.
Efficient drilling for geothermal installations. Deep-leached thermally stable cutters handle the high temperatures encountered in geothermal projects where frictional heat generation is intense.
Bridge, highway, and railway construction. Mining exploration and production drilling. PDC reamers excel in pipeline crossings requiring large diameter bores through consolidated soils.
Monitoring well installation and geotechnical investigations. Clean boreholes with better gauge maintenance improve product installation and reduce risk of hole collapse or instability issues.
Synthetic diamond cutters bonded to tungsten carbide substrate provide unmatched hardness and wear resistance. Unlike roller cone bits that crush rock, PDC bits use shearing action for more efficient cutting - requiring less WOB while achieving higher penetration rates.
Fixed-cutter design eliminates roller bearings and moving parts, resulting in smoother drilling with less vibration. This improves directional control and reduces wear on drill pipe and downhole equipment. No RPM limits from bearing constraints.
No bearings to fail or teeth to break. PDC cutters maintain cutting efficiency longer than tricone bits through self-sharpening micro-chipping that exposes fresh diamond facets. Predictable gradual wear allows planned pull-outs.
Smooth cutting action produces cleaner boreholes with better gauge maintenance. Results in improved product installation and reduced risk of hole collapse or instability issues. Higher blade counts provide excellent gauge integrity.
What you see here is just a fraction of our inventory. With over 118 PDC bit configurations and 1,139+ total bit products in stock across all categories, we likely have exactly what your project needs. Talk to our bit specialists about your drilling conditions and formation types — we will help you select the optimal bit configuration, blade count, and cutter grade for maximum performance and lowest cost-per-foot.