Slip
Manual slips secure the drill string within the rotary table during drilling operations. Slips are constructed with three or more hinged steel wedges, which form a nearly circular shape when placed around the drill pipe. Replaceable inserts are embedded into the inner side of the steel wedges. The outer surface of the slips is tapered to match the inner taper of the insert bowl of the rotary table. As the drill pipe is lowered into the slips, the inserts grip the pipe, causing the slips to descend and securely lock everything together. Resting the drill string securely in slips allows disconnecting of the upper part of the drill string while the lower portion remains suspended. After attaching another component to the lower portion, lifting the string releases the slip for lowering the drill string for further operations.