The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-12-14
Ola mond Drill.

Among the inventions of the day, which we
regard of great value to the mining interests
Of Nevada, is Leschot's diamond drill From
in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, we have
learned some facts relative to the invention,
which we lay before our readers.
This drill was the invention of NJ Lcschot.
French civil engineer. in 1860. Experiments
have shown the practicablity of its work in
the hardest rock, and AS n cheap and rapid
method Of determining the extent and quality
Of a mineral vein it can hardly have an equnl.
The rock is bored 10y the direct application
of genuine Brazilian diamonds. These din
monds are set in their natural rough state in
= bit or head OF hardened steel In which
there are small openings to permit the pass
age Of water. n continuous stream of which il
forced through ii. The bit is attached to an
ordinary section of gas pipe. which IS made TO
rotate at the rate of !. 900 or 1000 revolutions
per minute. and being propelled by Il screw
every revolution pushes 1t further into the
rock. In Pottsvlle, Pa, drill two inches in
diameter cut from three to four inches per
minute in couglumerate rock This is called
the solid BIZ" while another, the ''core bit, Z"
II cylinder with the diamonds set in the rim,
used in taking out solid sections Of rock, will
attain the speed Of five inches per minute.
The core bit" would be Of incalculable value
in prospecting undeveloped mines in this
country, as solid portions Of the rock brought
mp by the drill would keep the miner posted
IN regard to the character and richness of his
mine. The P9nix Park Coal Company used
on mine near Pottsvile one of the No. 2
drills, With the following effect as related to
the Bulletins correspondent:
When saw the machine it was boring away
ut the bottom Of hole 700 feet feet deep by
two inches wide, and straight az an arrow
At that time II was using core bit, and
could bore only ten feet per day, ns after driH.
ing that distance the amount of core obtained
made il necessary to raise the rods and re.
move it-a work which consumes more time
than the days boring. Each ten-foOt section
OF rod, or more strictly speaking pipe. AZ il
came mp unscrcwed aud yet aside ready
to he pnt on again and sent down next morn
ing. An ingenious arrangement in the bit held
the core and brought 1t all ont; and there il
showed plainly every seam and stratum, OF
whatever kind, bored through that day. With
the solid bit no core is taken ont. but the
stream Of water constantly running through
the rods washes out the debris as fast as the
drill grinds il loose, and this being collected
indicates the character of the strata from
which 1t came. The greatest distance driven
ut this shaft in one day was ~ feet Six
hundred feet from the top the solid bit bored
20 feet in day; the core bit, n | said, could
bore but ten feet day at that depth.
In this vast base metal range, Astounding in
galena aud copper deposits, neither Of which
are noted for the regularity Of the veins, such
mn instrument we would Judge to be of ipcaI-
culable benefit and utility in determining in a
speedy and cheap manner the location and
character of the deposits. The limit to the
durability Of these drills has not been found,
although severely tried. In one instance after
boring to depth Of one thousand feet through
solid rock the drill hardly showed signs Of
use.
Hx..INn --rLn ino ~. III. II.,u,LollL L. No.