The SideWinder for powering a hand-coring auger in drilling and lifting

Abstract

The SideWinder is a power delivery system for a hand-coring ice auger. It not only greatly increases the rate of drilling, it also makes it possible for a single operator to drill to depths difficult and cumbersome for hand-coring systems. The SideWinder power is delivered by an electric drill that is used for both the drilling and the lifting of the drill string. A high-strength low-stretch synthetic-fiber rope lifts and lowers the drill string as it winds around a tube attached to the electric drill. During winding, the synthetic-fiber rope is guided onto the winding tube by rope cleats that also serve as a quick way to secure the rope for drilling. The end of the winding tube connects directly to the protruding extension of the drill string for drilling. The rope always remains attached to the drill string by a rope-pin that replaces the bottommost connecting pin; the winding tube holds the rope and always stays attached to the electric drill. For lifting and lowering the drill string, cradle arms on a frame that hinges on a plywood platform hold the winding tube.