Recover the value sitting in your spent core-bit pile. Send DMI or competitor barrels in one approved load. DMI coordinates the recovery freight, inspects every tube, and gives each barrel a clear next step before any work begins.
Start with an approximate count, size range, and pickup ZIP. You do not need a finished manifest to request a recovery plan.
How Core Recovery works
- Show us the pile. Send the approximate barrel count, smallest and largest diameters, pickup ZIP, and a photo or folder link if available.
- DMI plans the recovery. We approve your pallet or crate, or place an assigned DMI Recovery Crate at your shop. DMI coordinates the approved freight plan for the empty crate, loaded recovery shipment and finished product.
- We inspect every barrel. DMI identifies the size, brand, condition, and serviceability of each tube, then prepares an itemized Core Recovery Report.
- You choose the disposition. Each barrel is recommended for re-tip, new replacement, return as-is, hold for review, or scrap with written approval. Nothing is produced or scrapped without your approval.
What happens by diameter and length
Standard-working-length bits under 6 inches
These barrels move to a new DMI replacement option because replacement costs less than re-tipping. A custom- or extended-length barrel at any diameter may still qualify for re-tip when it passes inspection and enough usable length remains for your required drilling depth. DMI shows any proposed cut-down and finished usable length before you approve work.
Standard bits 6 inches and larger, plus custom-length barrels
You can choose a new replacement or re-tip service when the tube passes inspection. Re-tips are available with X-Top, Krank, or D5 segments. DMI provides a suggested segment count, and you can request additional segments for pan decking, asphalt, or other abrasive applications. When the approved finished barrel length remains over 24 inches, the base re-tip service receives a 10% long-barrel surcharge; unusual configurations are quoted separately.
View re-tip sizes and base pricing.
Pilot exchange discounts
One returned tube can qualify for one new DMI replacement within the same approved size family. After inspection, the eligible replacement is discounted from your DMI portal price:
- Through 6 inches: 25% off
- 6.5 through 14 inches: 20% off
- Over 14 inches: 15% off
A serviceable tube with an eligible re-tip path can be re-tipped instead. DMI recommends re-tip when the complete re-tip quote is no more than 75% of a comparable discounted replacement at the required working length and recommends replacement above that point, but you retain the final choice. DMI confirms the tube's condition, eligibility, and final options before any work begins.
Freight and crate terms
- No upfront crate deposit. A DMI Recovery Crate remains DMI property and is assigned to your company under written custody terms.
- Empty crate ships free. DMI sends an empty Recovery Crate to you at no charge.
- Use your own packaging if you prefer. DMI must approve the pallet or crate before pickup.
- Freight follows the $2,000 recovery-value qualifier. Under $2,000 of recovery value, you pay freight both ways. At $2,000 or more, DMI pays 50% of standard contiguous-US commercial freight, up to $250 per leg, on both legs: the loaded crate to Roy and the finished product back to you. You pay the remainder and any nonstandard charges. Your final quote shows the exact split before you approve work.
- DMI and competitor barrels are accepted. Oversize loads use a broker-approved custom packaging plan.
When your crate is ready for review
The QR-linked tracker changes to Request pickup review when the estimated load reaches 70% of its measured usable payload or $2,000 in selected recovery value. At 90% of usable payload, stop loading and contact DMI before adding another tube. These thresholds start a review; they do not authorize shipment. Final photos, dimensions, an actual scale weight, and written DMI packaging and pickup approval are required before freight is booked.
Before anything ships
Keep barrels dry and empty, protect the threads, and remove loose cores, slurry, and debris. Include the overall length and your minimum acceptable finished drilling length for every custom barrel. Do not ship until DMI approves the packaging and freight plan. Warped tubes, cracked barrels, damaged threads or welds, or insufficient usable barrel length may prevent re-tipping, but DMI can still quote an eligible replacement.
Have photos ready? Add a share link in the form or email them to shipping@dmitools.com with your company name after submitting the request.