Piston air compressors
A piston compressor compresses air with a piston in a cylinder — much like a car engine, only in reverse. It is the most numerous type in our range: 360 machines from 0.34 to 15 kW, with one to four cylinders and a pressure of 8 to 30 bar.
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When a piston compressor is the right choice
Wherever air is drawn intermittently: the machine fills the tank, switches off and starts again once the pressure drops. The tank covers short peaks in demand, which is why piston machines usually have an air tank — most often 270 or 500 l. One hundred and sixty-six piston machines have wheels, while the rest stand in one place or are carried by hand; they weigh from 5 kg for the Suitcase in its carry case to 538 kg for the ABAC B70 tandem with two motors on a 900 l tank. If air is used for the whole shift, a screw compressor works out more economical; the differences are summed up in our comparison of screw and piston compressors.
How piston compressors are built
Number of cylinders
Two hundred and ninety-six machines have two cylinders, 23 have one, 29 have three and 12 have four. More cylinders mean more air at lower speeds. The most common design is covered under twin-cylinder air compressors.
One stage or two
Two hundred and twenty-six machines compress air in a single step. One hundred and thirty-four are two-stage: an intercooler cools the air between the cylinders, which is why they reach up to 30 bar — they are listed under two-stage air compressors.
Belt or direct drive
Two hundred and fifty-six machines have a V-belt that slows the pump down to 688 to 1,400 revolutions per minute, so they can run for longer. Direct drive is found mainly on small plug-in machines and the industrial ABAC Tech.
Oil-lubricated and oil-free
Two hundred and ninety-two piston machines have an oil fill, while 68 run without oil — from the small Black Wind to the Clean Air dental units. The oil-free machines are grouped together under oil-free air compressors.
Product ranges
Most machines come from the belt-driven ABAC Pro Line range, followed by the soundproofed ABAC Silent, the industrial ABAC Tech, the cast-iron ATMOS Perfect and WALTER, the oil-free Expert Zero and the ABAC Line for tradespeople. Cast-iron cylinders dissipate heat better — details under WALTER cast-iron compressors. You can compare piston machines with screw and scroll ones in our overview of air compressors.
Frequently asked questions
- How long can a piston compressor run without a break?
- It depends on the machine: small direct-drive units need breaks, belt-driven ones can run for longer, and the industrial ABAC Tech machines have a motor rated for continuous duty.
- Are there piston compressors for 230 V?
- Yes, one hundred and four piston machines, up to 3 kW. The rest need a three-phase 400 V supply.
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Black Wind piston compressors
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ATMOS piston compressors
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Walter reciprocating compressors
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Piston compressors ABAC
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Piston compressors ABAC
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Expert Zero compressors
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ABAC reciprocating compressors
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Quiet compressors Super Silent OS
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INDUSTRIAL TECH compressors
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CLR reciprocating compressors
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Combustion compressors
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Screw compressors
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Pressure vessels
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Compressor accessories
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Product sorting
List of products
The only machine in the range for a 230 V socket: A29B pump with 2.2 kW, 320 l/min at 1,300 rpm, 10 bar, 50 l tank on castors, 58 kg. Regulator, two gauges, DN 7.2 quick...
The biggest reserve in the quiet range: horizontal 50 l tank on wheels, 32 kg. Oil-free twin-piston pump 1.5 kW at 1,420 rpm, 230 l/min, 9 bar, 85 dB Lwa and 65 dB at 4 m;...
The fifty with the A39B pump: 2.2 kW (3 hp) on 230 V, 355 l/min at 950 rpm, 10 bar, 67 kg on castors. Belt guard that guides the cooling air, aftercooler, DN 7.2 quick coupling;...
The lightest machine in the range, 55 kg: A29B pump with 1.5 kW on 230 V, 178 l/min at 750 rpm, 10 bar, 50 l tank on castors. Aftercooler, regulator, two gauges, DN 7.2 quick...
The smallest pump in the A series. Suits smaller workshops where the compressor runs intermittently — blowing down, inflating and light air tools.
Set: quiet oil-free BO-0.75-6PM compressor (56 dB, 15 kg, 6 l) + 5 m spiral hose, inflating gun with gauge and three nozzles for balls, bicycles and air mattresses.
The most common choice for workshops without a three-phase supply. Its 340 l/min air delivery covers a blow gun, a ratchet and a stapler, and the tank holds pressure for short...
Oil-free compressor 1.5 kW with 256 l/min and a 24 l tank on wheels, 22 kg, 67 dB at 4 m. For longer work with a gun without oil in the air.
Portable oil-free compressor 1.5 kW with 256 l/min in the 6-litre version, 17 kg. For a stapler, blowing off and a gun wherever you carry the compressor.
The three-cylinder class with the largest reserve, for operations that draw air in heavy bursts: sandblasting smaller parts, filling, blowing down a line. The 740 l/min air...
Suitcase compressor with a 6 l tank: 10 kg, oil-free 1.1 kW pump, 160 l/min, 8 bar, regulator and two gauges, hose in the compartment. For a stapler and small spray jobs;...
The smallest cast-iron WALTER with a tank: for short jobs, as a second compressor alongside a larger machine, or for workstations you wheel it to. Its 340 l/min air delivery...
The biggest reserve in the L20N range: horizontal 50 l tank on two wheels, 33 kg. Oil-lubricated 1.5 kW L20 pump from an ordinary socket, 220 l/min, 10 bar; regulator, two...
24 l oil-lubricated compressor with the stronger L30P pump: 2.2 kW from an ordinary socket, 310 l/min, 10 bar, horizontal 24 l tank, 29 kg on wheels. Regulator, two gauges, DN...
The highest-output direct drive in the range: V-twin, 2.2 kW, 356 l/min, 50 l tank, 40 kg. For a spray gun, a grinder and longer work from a standard socket.
The lightest oil-lubricated compressor in the ABAC L25P/L30P range: 1.8 kW L25P pump from an ordinary socket, 270 l/min, 10 bar, horizontal 24 l tank, 28 kg on wheels....
The most powerful single cylinder in the range: 1.8 kW, 233 l/min, 50 l tank on wheels, 32 kg. A sixth more air than the basic fifty at the same noise.
The lighter of the SUITCASE suitcase compressors: 5 kg, oil-free 1.1 kW pump, 160 l/min, 8 bar, no tank. Hose in the compartment under the lid, one button — for inflating,...
The cheapest oil-lubricated compressor in the range: 1.5 kW, 200 l/min, 24 l tank on wheels, 25 kg. The lubricated cylinder withstands longer work, the sight glass shows the oil...
24 l compressor on wheels, 25 kg — mid-range L20N: oil-lubricated 1.5 kW pump from an ordinary socket, 220 l/min, 10 bar, reserve for a nailer and longer blowing off. Regulator,...
Extremely quiet piston compressor with an output pressure of 8 bar, designed primarily as a small compressed air source popular in Airbrush applications. Portable,...
50 l oil-lubricated compressor for the garage and smaller workshop: 1.8 kW L25P pump from an ordinary socket, 270 l/min, 10 bar, horizontal 50 l tank, 36 kg on wheels....