Piston or screw compressor — which do you need?
This is the first decision, and it comes down to how continuously you'll run it:
- Piston (reciprocating) compressors are simpler, cheaper to buy and cheaper to repair. They suit workshops, garages and fabrication units running pneumatic tools for an hour or two at a stretch — intermittent use with rest time for the motor to cool between cycles.
- Rotary screw compressors compress air continuously with less vibration and noise, and generally last longer under sustained load. They suit CNC lines, paint booths, pneumatic assembly stations and any process running air for a full shift or more without a break.
Running a screw compressor for 30 minutes a day wastes money; running a piston compressor continuously for a full shift wears it out fast. We ask about your actual usage pattern before recommending either.
How we size a new compressor
We work from your real air demand rather than the horsepower rating alone:
- Free Air Delivery (CFM) needed at your tools or process, added up across everything that might run at once
- Working pressure required — most pneumatic tools need 6–7 bar, but paint spraying, instrumentation or specific machinery can differ
- Duty cycle — continuous production line vs. intermittent tool use
- Air quality — whether you need dry, oil-free or filtered air (paint booths, electronics-adjacent work, pharma-adjacent packaging)
- Receiver tank size — buffers demand spikes so the compressor doesn't short-cycle
Undersizing causes constant cycling and early wear; oversizing wastes power and money on a unit that never loads properly. We'd rather ask a few extra questions upfront than have you carrying either problem for the next ten years.
What to prepare before installation
Once a unit is selected, the site needs to be ready for it:
- A level, vibration-resistant foundation — especially important for screw compressors
- Adequate ventilation and clearance for heat dissipation around the unit
- A dedicated electrical line sized to the motor, with correct starter or VFD protection
- A piping layout that avoids unnecessary bends and long runs, which cause pressure drop
- A moisture separator and dryer, sized to your flow rate, if the process needs dry air
We review this during the site visit, before delivery, so installation day has no surprises.
Our sales process
- Enquiry — call or WhatsApp with your requirement, current tools/process, or an existing compressor you're replacing
- Site visit or a few questions about usage pattern and available power, to size the right unit
- Written quotation for the recommended compressor, receiver tank and accessories
- Delivery, installation support and commissioning, including a functional test under load
- Basic operator guidance — daily checks, what noises/warning signs to call us about
Replacing an old compressor?
If you're upgrading rather than buying for the first time, mention your existing unit when you enquire — we evaluate it case by case and let you know if an exchange or buy-back is possible.
Related
- AMC / Annual Maintenance Contracts — cover the new unit from day one.
- Repair & servicing — for existing compressors still worth keeping.
- Spare parts — filters, valves and consumables once the unit is running.
Sales FAQs
What is the difference between a piston (reciprocating) and a screw air compressor?
A piston compressor uses pistons moving inside cylinders to compress air in pulses — it is simpler, cheaper to buy and repair, and well suited to workshops or intermittent use of an hour or two a day. A screw compressor uses two meshing rotors to compress air continuously and smoothly — it costs more upfront but handles continuous, high-volume use with less vibration, lower noise and typically a longer service life. Factories running production lines or paint booths for a full shift usually need a screw compressor; a small garage or fabrication workshop is often better served by a piston unit.
What size or type of compressor do I need for my workshop or factory?
Sizing depends on your total air demand (CFM) at the pressure your tools or process need, plus how continuously the air is used. As a rough starting point: small workshops running one or two pneumatic tools intermittently are usually fine with a 1–5 HP piston compressor; CNC lines, paint booths, pneumatic assembly tools or continuous-process factories typically need a 10 HP-plus screw compressor with a properly sized receiver tank. We visit or ask a few questions about your equipment and usage pattern to recommend a size rather than guessing from HP alone — undersizing causes constant cycling and early wear, and oversizing wastes power.
Do you take my old compressor in exchange when I buy a new one?
This is evaluated case by case depending on the condition, brand and resale value of the old unit. Mention it when you enquire about a new compressor and we will inspect it and let you know if an exchange or buy-back is possible.
What do I need to prepare before installing a new air compressor?
In general: a level, vibration-resistant foundation, adequate ventilation and clearance for heat dissipation (especially for screw compressors), a dedicated electrical line sized for the motor with proper starter/VFD protection, and a piping layout that avoids unnecessary bends and long runs which cause pressure drop. For processes needing dry air (paint booths, pneumatic instrumentation, electronics-adjacent work) you will also need a moisture separator and dryer sized to your flow rate. We advise on this during the site visit before delivery so there are no surprises on installation day.