Anyone who has drilled deep RC holes knows the problem (particularly in challenging ground): when the hole starts to wander, chatter increases and vibration comes up the string. Before long, you’re fighting deviation and swapping components.
That combination – deviation, drill string chatter, and frequent change‑outs, drives up cost per metre. Not because of one big failure, but because of a hundred small inefficiencies. Harlsan’s Spiral Stabilizer Sub was developed to deal with these realities of RC drilling and keep your hole on target, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
How the Spiral Stabilizer Sub Actually Works
Rather than relying on straight wear pads, the Spiral Stabilizer Sub uses precision spiral hard‑faced wear pads formed to an exact curve around the body of the sub. As the string rotates, these spiral arcs track a controlled path through the hole. The effect is steadier guidance, smoother rotation, and cleaner drilling – particularly in ground that would normally induce chatter or side‑loading. By combining the functions of a dig‑out sub and a stabilizer into one tool, the Spiral Sub simplifies the string while improving control.
This spiral sub doesn’t just mean straighter holes – it means fewer corrections, less rework, and more confidence that the metres you drill are the metres you were meant to drill.
Less Chatter Means Less Damage (and Fewer Headaches)
Drill string chatter is expensive and excessive vibration accelerates wear across the whole string, increasing maintenance hours, and shortening component life. It also makes the rig harder to run consistently shift to shift. So, by stabilizing the string and reducing vibration, the Spiral Stabilizer Sub helps:
- Protect the drill string from unnecessary stress
- Extend service life of components
- Reduce unplanned maintenance and change‑outs
The result is a string that runs smoother and a rig that stays drilling longer.
What It Looks Like in the Field
Harlsan was approached by a customer regarding problems they had drilling 360m deep reverse circulation holes. Some of the holes had deviated more than 5 degrees off the intended azimuth when measured at the bottom of the hole. As they were to be used as pre-collars for much deeper diamond drilling, the holes they needed to be as accurate as possible. Conventional dig-out & stabilizer subs were not providing consistent results and the deviation continued.
Harlsan supplied specifically designed spiral subs for hole stabilization and deviation reduction. The benefit was immediate: deviation reduced and results were consistent and repeatable.
While drilling 360m deep RC precollars we experienced problems with deviation of more than 5 degrees at the end of hole.
The Harlsan Spiral Sub dramatically improved accuracy, enabling us to keep the holes within 1-2 degrees.
Built to Fit Your String – Not the Other Way Around
Keeping it simple to integrate, the Spiral Stabilizer Sub is available in configurations to suit real‑world rigs:
- Sizes: 3½”, 4″, and 4½”
- Lengths: 500 mm to 1000 mm (100 mm increments)
- Threads: Remet, Metzke, RRE (others available)
Precision‑cut threads make integration straightforward, helping keep utilisation high and downtime low. Each sub is manufactured from premium alloy steel, delivering the toughness expected in Australian drilling conditions.
Built for RC Drillers Who Want Control, Not Compromise
Harlsan’s Spiral Stabilizer Subs are manufactured in Western Australia and supplied globally, customizes to suit your rig and ground conditions.
If you’re dealing with wandering holes, excessive vibration, or rising maintenance costs, it may be time to stabilize the problem at the source.
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