Turns out my memory is not as bad as I had thought. 17 1/2 inches just happens to be a common size for well drilling bits and core drill bits of that
size are also available.
I worked on oil rigs in my youth and I remembered correctly that the bits were 17 1/2 inches. These bits are also used to drill water wells and for
masonry work. They are tri-cone bits and the 17 1/2 inch size is what is normally used for oil and large water wells.
A site that sells reconditioned bits like I'm referring too.
These exact bits in that size have been around since 1933 when invented by Hugh's of Hugh's Tool. The rigs I worked on used them. Same size.