Review: Dramm 300 Shutoff Valve

Spilchy

New member
Description:



Simply the best shut-off valve available. Dramm's #300 Brass Shut-Off Valve provides fingertip water control at the end of your greenhouse hose. A quarter turn of the large ergonomic handle and the water is off. Full water flow design. Made in the USA from brass, durable seals and a hard chrome plated ball to provide years of service.



The foam gun has recently become all the rage on the detailing boards. I’ve been a user for maybe a year or so. I have found that removing the quick disconnect off of the trigger sprayer and hooking it up to a shutoff valve works best for me. I no longer use the sprayer – too cumbersome. I also hookup the shutoff valve to my pressure washer so I can easily remove the hose without shutting off the water.



I have two other shutoff valves; one zinc and one brass that I got for a couple dollars at Home Depot.



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They work fine; no leaks and lightweight (5.2oz combined) as seen on my scale.



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However, water flow is not the greatest as the holes are rather small @ 8mm in diameter according to my little tape measure. (Sorry, the batteries on my digital caliper went dead so I can’t get an accurate measure).



So, I was on a mission to locate a shutoff valve, regardless of material, with the largest hole. While on Detail City, I noticed our forum contributor Leo, DF Towel, an excellent source for microfiber technology, mention the Dramm #300. Apparently he had done a lot of research on the subject. I realized I wasn’t the only crazy one comparing shutoff valves and actually mentioning it! So, based on his recommendation, I bought one on EBay.



Well, I received it and was shocked at what I saw. This thing is HUGE (2" long by 1.25� wide) SOLID and HEAVY.



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It weighs half a pound!



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How many times have you said to yourself “They don’t make them like they used to.� Well THIS is how they used to make them. It looks like something your grandpa had back in the 20’s or 30’s! The hole is @ 12mm in diameter. The shutoff lever is huge and works great; nice, tight and secure. Very easy to turn on and off with your thumb. It feels like you’re opening and closing a water dam! It’s a real piece of hardware, well constructed and very durable.



Here they are lined up so you can see the holes. The Dramm is to the left. Although not perfectly lined up, the Dramm is 4mm wider in diameter than the other two.



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Again, the Dramm on the left.



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The one drawback I see is that it may be too heavy for some. But it is so big, that it provides a nice handle for me to grip as I use the foam gun. It fits in my palm (again, I don’t use the sprayer). Also, you don’t want to hit your car with it! But, I’ve never done that. If it is too big and cumbersome for some, it would be ideal to hook up to just your faucet or pressure washer and used that way.



Regardless, I am looking forward to using it attached to my pressure washer, foam gun and then attached to my 1000 micro holed shower nozzle for a final rinse. As now, I will have FULL water pressure with no restriction due to hole size.
 
hjuan said:
Where'd you buy the set at?



The Dramm shutoff came from EBay.



The other two were bought separately at Home Depot.



Nothing came in a set. They were 3 separate purchases from 3 different manufacturers.
 
Spilchy said:
The Dramm shutoff came from EBay.



Thanks for the great write-up. I purchased both the shut-off valve and shower head from EBay moments ago for just under $34 with shipping. The vendor "SUNSHINEHOPE" had more available, if others are interested. :thx
 
I agree, I tried lots of valves and none measured up like the Dramm #300. The #300 doesn't feel heavy, it actually is well balanced and feels like you are using something made to last.



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I'm also testing the quick connects they make, these look good also with no loss of flow.
 
If anyone is having trouble locating the Dramm shutoff valve, you can buy it from a great vendor, DF Towel who just posted above. He's mostly known for his killer buffing towels, but just saw it on his site.



http://www.dftowel.com/ordermisc.html



I believe he also offers an Autopian discount!



So there is another place to buy it from. I'm not certain if he carries the disconnects, you can e-mail him.



Those who want the corresponding disconnects do a Google search for Dramm 740 Brass Disconnect
 
I laughed when I first read this as us detailers are starting to get pickier and pickier with our choices, but am glad I read it through. I currently use a Home Depot brass valve, but will be upgrading to a Dramm now.



Luckily for me, this is one item the girlfriend won't realize that is changed :).
 
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