shows a die insert 5 with a symmetrical dovetail profile 24 on its side opposite the gripping surface this dovetail profile 24 is used as a means of attaching the die insert 5 to the slip 4 in a manner whereby the die insert can be readily changed the need arises to change out these die inserts for several reasons such as the outside diameter of the tubular to be gripped has changed a different profile is needed for a specific tubular material or weight or the die insert wears out and is no longer functional etc fig1 is the same as fig1 with the exception that the dovetail profile 25 is non symmetric fig1 is a top view of a slip assembly illustrating the use of guide plates 32 bolted to the sides of the slip 4 and engaged with guide ways 34 the plates feature an interlocking profile 35 which is in sliding engagement with guide way 34 of the slip back 3 these plates are attached via bolts 33 the plates could alternatively be bolted to the slip back 3 with the guide way 34 on the slip 4 also the guide ways 34 are shown as machined slots female profile but could alternatively be male profiles these guide plates 32 allow the slips 4 to be easily removed from the slip backs 3 for servicing fig1 is an elevation view of the slip assembly utilizing the.