Challenger Steel Tooth Bits

Advanced Cutting Structures

Challenger™ steel tooth cutting structures are engineered to provide the lowest possible drilling costs. Each design has the row placement, tooth spacing and cutter geometry determined to provide high drilling efficiency, minimize tooth wear and prevent tracking in a wide variety of formations and conditions.

Forged Teeth

Challenger steel tooth bits 13 ¾" and smaller are manufactured with Varel’s exclusive forged tooth process. This innovative method provides stronger, more impact-resistant teeth when compared with milling because the metal flow lines from the forging process are preserved.

Premium Hardfacing

The tooth surfaces are fortified with premium, high-density tungsten carbide hardfacing applied by oxy-acetylene welding for superior wear resistance.

Advanced Shirttail Contouring

Extensive shirttail contouring and clearance from the wall of the hole ensures that fine cuttings are carried away from the seal area, providing longer seal life.

Gage protection (G Feature) - optional* 
Challenger steel tooth bits feature superior gage protection. Semi-round top inserts are strategically placed between gage teeth, and work in unison with full tooth gage hardfacing to provide additional gage and seal protection.

Diamond Enhanced Back Row (D Feature) - optional*

One third of the carbide, back-row inserts are replaced with polycrystalline diamond (PCD)-capped inserts to increase gage holding in abrasive applications.

Center Jet Nozzle (J Feature) - optional*

A fourth interchangeable jet is installed in the center of the bit to reduce bit balling or provide extra flow capacity. (Available only in 7 1/2" bits and larger.)

*optional features are available at extra cost