"New" Amiga 3000....

[Kremlar]

I have my CF card reader mounted in the right-hand floppy bay.  I used Velcro to mount it to the plate which mounts to the case.  Fits great, and no modifications to the case.

I can keep the plastic drive bay cover in place if I plug the CF card direct into the card reader.  If you want to use the PCMCIA converter you can actually remove the platic cover and use it through the floppy disk drive opening!

Definitely get it from Mechy in the link posted above.  He's the man!

He also sells the updated SCSI chip.

[Kremlar]

For Mech's card reader you need to enable LUNs on the 3000 or use a PCMCIA adapter for the CF card.

[Kremlar]

If you want access from the outside I would go with an external enclosure.  If you don't want access I would just mount it in the hard disk bay.  I had mine in the 2nd floppy bay using Velcro without the PCMCIA adapter.

[Kremlar]

EDIT: Ah, looks like I have to have a working battery and use something like SCSIprefs from Aminet, right?  

Yes, that's correct.  I purchased one of those coin cell replacements off of eBay, like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COIN-LITHIUM-BATTERY-BACKUP-for-AMIGA-4000-3000-2000-/220956987868?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33721011dc
 
Don't be afraid to take the 3000 apart (just be careful!).

[Kremlar]

Yeah, I noticed that too. I can't justify paying $100/$200+ for a USB card, ethernet card, or an IDE controller for either of my machines. I did have a chance to get a Buddha a few months ago for $75 and I am still kicking myself over that. I refurbed my A2000 because I wanted a project and thought it would be fun to get back into the Amiga. I bought the A3000 because I always wanted one when I was a college kid but couldn't afford one. It is probably my favorite Amiga model even though it is a pain to work on.

Take it slow, sounds like you are in the same position I am in. I've spent more money than I probably should have, but then again I've been tempted but have refrained from spending much more. By taking it slow I've gotten my stuff inexpensively and have no real worries - if I decide to bail out of this hobby, I can definitely get all my money back.
 
Like you it seems, what's driving me is the challenge of getting these things up and running and the nostalgic appeal. Who knows how long your interest will last, so don't go overboard. I'd never pay the prices some of these products are demanding - just not worth it for me!
 
Unfortunately I now have more "toys" than I have time to play with. Amiga 4000T, 3000, C128D, C128, C64C and soon an Atari 800.... ugh... it's an addiction!
 

Yeah, it came without a battery but it booted fine. Now that I've got my new battery installed and working, I need to connect the card reader I bought from Mechy, enable LUNs, and see if I can get all that working.

Just remember if your battery dies it will no longer boot to the CF card slot until you boot to floppy and re-enable LUNs. You can, however, boot to the CF card in a PCMCIA adapter (if you have one) if the battery dies.

[Kremlar]

Yes, it fits fine in the rear hard disk bay.  If you use the PCMCIA adapter it will interfere with the floppy bay in front of it.  
 
You can also install it in the front right floppy bay, but the screw holes will not line up - I used velcro.  You can actually use the front bezel floppy slot to insert/remove the PCMCIA adapter with the CF card inserted if you want.