Patent ID: 7594454

Claim:
A method of fabricating a rotary drill bit, comprising: providing a shank structure for attaching the rotary drill bit to a drill string configured with at least one tapered feature for positioning the shank structure; providing a bit body having an end configured for drilling a subterranean formation, the bit body including at least one complementary tapered feature for positioning the shank structure in relation thereto; positioning the shank structure by matingly engaging the at least one tapered feature of the shank structure and the at least one complementary tapered feature of the bit body and defining a weld region between the shank structure and the bit body; forming a first weld originating from a first circumferential position within the weld region; forming at least a second weld originating from a second circumferential position within the weld region; wherein the second circumferential position and the first circumferential position are separated by at least about 90° in relation to the centerline of the bit body.