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How to Install a DRO on a Mill Drill

A mill drill is a tabletop drill designed for metal, wood and other materials. Typically, a mill drill is used for drilling holes into pieces of material that are too-large to use with a hand-held drill. One way to make a mill drill more accurate is to install a DRO, or a digital readout odometer. This will help it receive a clear, accurate reading of the cutting depth, width and circumference. It only takes a few modifications to install a DRO on any mill drill.

Things You'll Need

Aluminum mounting brackets
1-inch metal screws
Drill
Power screwdriver
Needle nose pliers
Soldering gun and solder
Electrical wire

Instructions

- 1
  Place the display in an out-of-the way location so the screen does not become damaged by flying chips or by too much pressure on the screen.
- 2
  Mount the Z and Y axis scale near the base of the mill drill. Use aluminum mounting brackets and 1-inch metal screws to screw the scales into place at the base of the drill. If the screws do not screw directly into the metal, use a drill to mount pilot holes first.
- 3
  Attach the power cord to the main power line of the mill engine. Make sure the power is off before touching any electrical wires. Remove the engine housing and connect the wires from the power cord to the wires of the engine̵7;s power cord. Use needle-nose pliers to connect the wires. If necessary, solder the wires together using a soldering gun.
- 4
  Wrap the exposed wires with electrical tape. Replace the housing, and test the readout.

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