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Tool Review
Air Compressor D-3000

by: Dave O'Meara [ GRUMPYOLDMAN ]

no longer useful

With the death and disposal of my long faithful, and long lasting compressor, I was forced to find a replacement.

I could have easily replaced the tank, as some suggested. Living in a small apartment, space is important, and a separate tank and the extra room it would have taken up were out of the question. I could have tried to have the tank welded, again as some suggested, but the welder at work thought I was over doing my medications. So I bought a new one.

Knowing my requirements of; small size, low noise, a tank, and a realistic price that didn’t require me to get a second mortgage, or auction off my first born son, I checked at a few on-line shops, and a few air stores, and of course Wal-Mart, and Home Depot.

My old tank size was one gallon, and knowing that all I needed was one large enough to remove the pulsations when the compressor is running, not for a nail gun, or air tools, a smaller tank would work fine for my needs.

After the sticker shock at several stores, I decided to purchase the Paasche Model D-3000 from DixieArt.

details

Weighing in at a whopping 12 lbs; it is easy to carry using its built in handle, and light enough even for the smallest person to move from place to place with out a problem.

Mounted on top of the .4-gallon tank, is a 1/8 HP motor, connected to a diaphragm compressor that pumps out 1.58 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). It takes approximately 90 seconds to fill the tank when it’s empty. I haven’t had to stop to let the tank pump up, once I start spraying when the pressure switch kicks the compressor on. “Cut out” is 40 PSI, “cut in” is 20 PSI. (My normal airbrushing pressures range between 7 PSI to 14 PSI.) The tank comes with a shut off valve; you get to add whatever fittings and regulators you want after it (see the photos).

The unit has a built in on off switch, and a tank drain, which I would suggest people get into the habit of using. So far I haven’t gotten any water condensation in the tank, but that’s because it is in a rather humid free air-conditioned room. Higher humidity will surely produce condensation in the tank.

impression

Retailing at DixieArt.com for a mere $159.00 including shipping, I’m rather satisfied with its performance. It may not meet the needs of others, but it meets my needs, and only time will tell how durable it is, but I really don’t believe it will last the 25 plus years my old one did.
SUMMARY
Your compressor is an important tool for a good paint job. An airbush needs a solid steady stream of air from a good compressor. Dave shares his experience in buying one.
  TANK SIZE:90%
  TANK REFILL DURING USE:90%
  PORTABILITY:90%
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: Other
  Mfg. ID: D-3000
  Suggested Retail: $159.00
  PUBLISHED: Aug 10, 2006
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.92%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.33%

About Dave O'Meara (Grumpyoldman)
FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

I'm rewriting this in a much more humoristic way, to help over inflate my ego, and place my self on a pedestal, because I don't have a life, and plastic models are the only thing I live for. I plead guilty as charged to excessive babble, light hearted humor, and continued encouragement to youngsters...

Copyright ©2021 text by Dave O'Meara [ GRUMPYOLDMAN ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

That quite a bit of plumbing you have running off that Dave! :-) What are you running 4 different airbrushes or some pneumatic tools as well? Cheers, Jim
AUG 10, 2006 - 03:20 AM
4 airbrushes, Jim. Not all at the same time, only have two hands.... but it's a lot easier to just keep them hooked up then continuously changing hoses.
AUG 10, 2006 - 09:23 AM
   
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Photos
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  • D3000
  • Compressor_4
  • Compressor_5
  • Compressor_1
  • Compressor_3
  • Compressor_2
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