Poor Boy Junk Basket

General Description         
This is probably one of the oldest fishing tools around and it is still a very good one if it is built and run properly.  It is a short rotary-like shoe with long reverse teeth on the bottom which is closed when rotating.

Use
The Drag Tooth Junk Basket is used to retrieve odd shaped or unknown sized junk from the well bore.

Construction
First, we will discuss building one.  It is made from a piece of casing or washpipe and should not be more than N-80 grade. 

Anything higher-grade will have a tendency to break rather than bend.  The teeth should not be longer than ¾ of the diameter of the pipe.  The teeth should be cut at an angle and beveled from the inside out for the full length of the teeth.  This helps to bend them in when rotating.

Operation
To run the Poor Boy Basket, you should choose one that the O.D. is close to the hole size so you will not get junk on the outside.  Run the basket in the hole to just above the fish.  Begin rotating slowly with the pump on just enough to circulate.   Shut the pump down, and then lower the basket slowly, giving it time to roll the junk inside.  When you reach the bottom, continue to slack off until you have enough weight to close the fingers (10,000 lbs. is usually enough).  The reason for very little circulation is to prevent the mud from moving the junk to the outside of the hole, and also, you will get a better closure on the teeth if you don’t have a lot of mud going through them.  Remember, also, to watch for a pressure increase when the teeth are closed.  Jars should always be run with this tool.