There is a way to make a script where ship will cruise at 0.5m/s. It is optimal drilling speed. Subscribe to "Action script" and write in custom data of programable block something like this:
#DrillSpeed#
jumpdef drillspeed
if "PRD_Flight Seat",_Ship_Speed < 0.5
action "PRD_Hydrogen Thruster Forward^" IncreaseOverride
else
prop "PRD_Hydrogen Thruster Forward^" Override 0
endif
jump drillspeed

#DrillSpeedReset#
prop "PRD_Hydrogen Thruster Forward^" Override 0
stop
Script Drillspeed gets the grid speed from "PRD_Flight Seat" and increases all thrusters starting with name "PRD_Hydrogen Thruster Forward" (^ sign means starting with name) if speed is less than 0.5 else it sets thrusters override to 0
Timer block drill on = Gyros override ON, Drills ON, Run argument "run Drillspeed"
Timer block drill off = Gyros override OFF, Drills OFF, run argument "stop Drillspeed", run argument "run DrillSpeedReset" to reset thruster override

fwiw you don't need the extra drills just to make PAM happy. It should detect the proto drills correctly, and you can set the drill radius by editing the script and scrolling down a bit.

idk if you already knew this, but doesnt seem like anyone pointed it out
you can right click mine using the tool to take out a larger area but not collect the resources. Could it be that this only bores with right click, and when you get to the ore, its designed to wiggle around a little bit with left click?

I'll try that strategy. Appreciate the advice. o7

There might be too much thrust power for all direction, very unnecessary and dangerous while drilling (especially on empty load), i'll update someday with a key control to disable most thrusters, or a event controller that does so when any drill is active

hmm i see, i'm not surprised about this issue, the best advice i got is : toggle override on all or some gyroscopes on your toolbar On and Off while positioning before drilling so you don't wiggle or change trajectory too much

Yes, I am drilling manually. Could just be a skill issue, let's be frank.

If nobody else is having problems it's definitely a skill issue on my part. Right now I think the awkward drill sticking out the right and left sides is the problem area, since that's where I keep getting damaged.

Uh, i don't think you can have more clearance on this, i don't have any issues with it, are you drilling manually?

Trying to use this just causes the sides of the ship to get all smashed up, even when driving straight. I think there needs to be more clearance made with the drill.

EshFwog I have the same concern because I always use the "Critical Jump Drive explosion" mod which means the drives are prone to violently explode when damaged.

Which is not conducive to the long term goals of "not dying in space".

the new jump drives look sick there, but i'd be worried about bumping them if i try turn inside an asteroid

a neat package

Thanks to this great boy I finally found the solution to my problem, Scrip PAM, nice design Large storage capacity, you have to be careful though lol, now I have to review my installation and it is completely saturated... yeahhh

Thank you all, i'm glad it serves other people's need as well :D

Nice work man. I’ve been using your previous version on the Officials (minus the script of course). I’ll be printing this.

What a cool looking miner!