In 1986 David Boswell and Geoff Walder set up a company called Leonora Drilling. In late 1987 Peter Boswell was asked to join them. A big drilling day then was 500m RAB or 300m Aircore. In an effort to increase turnover they bought one of the first non Wallis Aircore systems, which didn’t work. Development of their Aircore systems started from that time. It was obvious that the available technology at the time didn’t drill plastic clays well. The first developments were done in the field with a gas welder, a hammer and a braising rod.
We cut the faces out of the Aircore bits and modified the inner tubes by partially filling the lower internal section with bronze to stop the clays blocking the innertube.
Bostech has continued with the development of the Aircore system since that time, and today has a very productive system capable of drilling the whole range of unconsolidated, sandy and heavy clay horizons that present difficult drilling for most companies.
The Bedford trucks have been replaced with MAN, Tatra and Isuzu trucks. The 375cfm / 125psi Sullair compressors have been replaced with up to 750cfm / 430psi Atlas Copcos.
From drilling on top of Turkeys Nests, which bounced like jelly to being stuck in riverbeds with rising floodwaters, there have been many and varied experiences that have helped to shape the modern drilling company that Bostech is today.