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...
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.
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.
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 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 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;...
A small piston compressor with an output pressure of 8 bar designed especially for occasional use in craft applications and for home use. Oil-free design with 1.1 kW motor...
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.
Belt-driven compressor with cast-iron pump: 2.2 kW, 320 l/min, 10 bar, 50 l, aftercooler, 71 dB at 4 m. The only machine in the range for regular work, 54 kg.
The smallest and quietest compressor in the range: 0.75 kW, 6 l, 15 kg and 56 dB at 4 m. Oil-free, maintenance-free, for a standard socket — for inflating, blowing off and small...
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...
The lowest noise in the range: 83 dB Lwa, 63 dB at 4 m. Oil-free twin-piston pump 0.55 kW at 1,420 rpm, 140 l/min, 8 bar, 6 l tank in a frame with a handle, 17 kg. Regulator,...
A two-stage pump on the A-series pulley — the step between workshop and industrial duty. Higher pressure than the single-stage pumps and more efficient compression.
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.
50 l oil-lubricated compressor with the L30P pump: 2.2 kW from an ordinary socket, 310 l/min, 10 bar, horizontal 50 l tank, 37 kg on wheels. Regulator, two gauges, DN 7.2 quick...
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....
Oil-lubricated compressor with the biggest tank in the range: 2.2 kW L30P pump from an ordinary socket, 310 l/min, 10 bar, horizontal 90 l tank, 63 kg on wheels. Regulator, two...
Compact oil-lubricated compressor for the site: 20 l tank in a protective tubular frame, extended handle, 2.2 kW L30P pump from an ordinary socket, 310 l/min, 10 bar, 35 kg....
Twin-cylinder direct-drive mobile compressor ABAC V36: 2.2 kW from an ordinary socket, 355 l/min air delivery, 277 l/min FAD, 10 bar, 50 l tank, 42 kg on wheels. Regulator, two...
The smallest pump in a sound canopy. 64 dB(A) instead of 71, a 30 l receiver inside, 68 kilos.
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....
A quiet compressor on wheels, 24 l and 24 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. A reserve for a decorating gun and a...
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;...