Bit breakers, bits, systems, and methods with improved makeup/breakout engagement

A bit breaker, comprising:

• a base having at least one open side, and having a chuck opening portion, and having a pair of chocks extending into the chuck opening;
• and
• a gate removably located against the open side of the base, and having a chock extending into the chuck opening;
• wherein said base and said gate contain cutouts which reduce the weight of said bit breaker;
• wherein said base has first, second, and third outer edges, said first and third outer edges being substantially parallel and said second outer edge being substantially parallel with an outer edge of said gate, when said gate is in a closed position.

A bit breaker, comprising:

• a base having at least one open side, and having a chuck opening portion, and having a pair of chocks extending into the chuck opening;
• and
• a gate removably located against the open side of the base, and having a chock extending into the chuck opening;
• at least one handle attached to said base;
• wherein said base has first, second, and third outer edges, said first and third outer edges being substantially parallel and said second outer edge being substantially parallel with an outer edge of said gate, when said gate is in a closed position;
• wherein said chocks of said base and said gate are equidistant from each other when said gate is in a closed position.

A drilling system, comprising:

• a drill string containing at least one section of pipe;
• a drill bit comprising three breaking slots and a threaded connector for attachment to said drill string;
• surface equipment capable of turning said drill bit in relation to said drill string;
• and
• a bit breaker, attached to said surface equipment, for connecting and disconnecting threaded connections, said bit breaker comprising:
• a base having at least one open side, and having a chuck opening portion, and having a pair of chocks extending into the chuck opening;
• and
• a gate removably located against the open side of the base, and having a chock extending into the chuck opening.

A method for connecting a drill bit to a drill string member on a drilling rig, comprising the steps of:

• placing a bit breaker having an open end and a pair of inwardly directed chocks onto a drill bit having three slots;
• attaching a gate having an inwardly directed chock, across the open end of the bit breaker;
• placing a drill string member onto the drill bit such that a lower tool joint connection of the drill string member is positioned for threaded connection to the tool joint connection of the bit breaker;
• and,
• applying opposing torque between the bit breaker and the drill string member to connect the drill string member to the drill bit.

A method for disconnecting a drill bit from a drill string member on a drilling rig comprising the steps of:

• placing a bit breaker having an open end and a pair of inwardly directed chocks onto a drill bit having three slots;
• attaching a gate having an inwardly directed chock across the open end of the bit breaker;
• and
• applying opposing torque between the bit breaker and the drill string member to disconnect the drill string member from the drill bit.