Tools, for example, fixed cutter drill bits, may be manufactured to include hard composite portions having reinforcing particles dispersed in a continuous binder phase and auxiliary portions that are more machinable than the hard composite portions. For example, a tool may include a hard composite portion having a machinability rating 0.2 or less; and an auxiliary portion having a machinability rating of 0.6 or greater in contact with the hard composite portion. The boundary or interface between the hard composite portion and the auxiliary portion may be designed so that upon removal of the most or all of the auxiliary portion the resultant tool has a desired geometry without having to machine the hard composite portion.

A drill bit for drilling a bore, the drill bit comprising: an outer housing; a primary cutting structure defining a cutting plane of a first diameter; a flow path arranged to let drilling fluid flow through the drill bit; and a deployable blade assembly at least partially located within the outer housing, the deployable blade assembly comprising a cutting structure and being arranged to be axially movable from a first position, in which the deployable cutting structure is recessed with respect to the primary cutting structure, towards the cutting plane, to a second position; wherein when the deployable blade assembly is in the second position, the deployable cutting structure defines a cutting diameter which is less than or equal to the first diameter.

A cutting device for use in a drill bit has a body including an ultrahard material. The body has a top surface, a front surface, and at least one lateral surface adjacent the top surface. The lateral surface is oriented at a surface angle relative to the top surface between 30 and 150 degrees. One or more locking features are located on the lateral surface.

A cutting device for use in a drill bit has a body including an ultrahard material. The body has a top surface, a front surface, and at least one lateral surface adjacent the top surface. The lateral surface is oriented at a surface angle relative to the top surface between 30 and 150 degrees. One or more locking features are located on the lateral surface.

A system for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool for introduction into a wellbore includes a mold assembly including a binder bowl, a mold, a preformed blank, and a funnel. The binder bowl has a lower portion and a plurality of apertures extending through the lower portion. The preformed blank is disposed within the infiltration chamber to provide an attachment area for a body of the infiltrated downhole tool, and the funnel is disposed intermediate the binder bowl and the mold. The system further includes a binder flow channel which extends through at least one of the preformed blank, the funnel, or a displacement core disposed within the mold assembly, the blank being concentrically arranged around the displacement core.

A system for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool for introduction into a wellbore includes a mold assembly including a binder bowl, a mold, a preformed blank, and a funnel. The binder bowl has a lower portion and a plurality of apertures extending through the lower portion. The preformed blank is disposed within the infiltration chamber to provide an attachment area for a body of the infiltrated downhole tool, and the funnel is disposed intermediate the binder bowl and the mold. The system further includes a binder flow channel which extends through at least one of the preformed blank, the funnel, or a displacement core disposed within the mold assembly, the blank being concentrically arranged around the displacement core.

An example method for monitoring drilling includes releasing a wireless data retrieval device within a drill string in a wellbore, forcing fluid downhole through the drill string such that the data retrieval device travels in the fluid through a fluid outlet in a drill bit connected to the drill string, receiving data in the data retrieval device from a wireless sensor disposed on or in a body of the drill bit, and transferring the data from the data retrieval device after the data retrieval device travels in the fluid through the fluid outlet. An example wellbore drilling system includes a drill bit that includes a body, a fluid outlet, one or more wireless sensors disposed on or in the body, and a waterproof data retrieval device configured to receive data wirelessly from the wireless sensor(s), the data retrieval device having a size smaller than an opening in the fluid outlet.

An example method for monitoring drilling includes releasing a wireless data retrieval device within a drill string in a wellbore, forcing fluid downhole through the drill string such that the data retrieval device travels in the fluid through a fluid outlet in a drill bit connected to the drill string, receiving data in the data retrieval device from a wireless sensor disposed on or in a body of the drill bit, and transferring the data from the data retrieval device after the data retrieval device travels in the fluid through the fluid outlet. An example wellbore drilling system includes a drill bit that includes a body, a fluid outlet, one or more wireless sensors disposed on or in the body, and a waterproof data retrieval device configured to receive data wirelessly from the wireless sensor(s), the data retrieval device having a size smaller than an opening in the fluid outlet.

A bit breaker for making or breaking a connection between a drill bit and a drill string, and the bit breaker includes a support structure that has a bit aperture through which a portion of the drill bit may pass. The support structure also includes basket apertures positioned circumferentially around the bit aperture. The bit breaker also includes a flexible member that passes through the basket apertures of the support structure to form a basket extending from one side of the support structure that can receive a drill bit. Relative rotation between the support structure and the flexible member causes the flexible member to tighten to make or break the connection between the drill bit and the drill string.

A bit breaker for making or breaking a connection between a drill bit and a drill string, and the bit breaker includes a support structure that has a bit aperture through which a portion of the drill bit may pass. The support structure also includes basket apertures positioned circumferentially around the bit aperture. The bit breaker also includes a flexible member that passes through the basket apertures of the support structure to form a basket extending from one side of the support structure that can receive a drill bit. Relative rotation between the support structure and the flexible member causes the flexible member to tighten to make or break the connection between the drill bit and the drill string.