Air Compressors: How to Choose for an Australian Workshop

Choosing an air compressor comes down to five questions: what type suits how you use air, how much air your tools need, what pressure, what power you have, and how you’ll treat and store the air. This guide answers each one. If you’d rather talk it through, call us on 1800 706 620.

Piston or rotary screw?

Piston (reciprocating) compressors suit smaller workshops and stop-start use. Single stage models compress the air once and suit painting, air tools and general workshop use. Two stage models compress it twice, cooling the air between stages, for higher pressure and better efficiency. Rotary screw compressors are built to run for long periods and suit busy workshops, production lines and blasting, where air demand is steady all day.

Browse piston air compressors and rotary screw air compressors.

How much air do you need?

Add up the air (CFM or L/min) your tools use at the same time, then allow a margin for growth and leaks. For blasting, the nozzle size sets the air you need: see our sandblasting equipment guide.

What pressure?

Check the working pressure your tools need. Many rotary screw compressors come in more than one pressure. For example, the Senator DS22 comes in 8, 10 or 13 bar.

What power do you have?

• Single phase: models such as the Peerless PT30 and PT35 run on single phase power.
• Three phase: larger compressors need three phase.
• No mains power: petrol models such as the Peerless PHP52 suit smaller site jobs, and FS-Curtis diesel compressors supply 130 to 185CFM for blasting and heavy site work.

Check your power supply and circuit with your electrician before ordering.

Tank, dryer and placement

• Tank: a larger tank lets pressure drop more slowly, so work carries on smoothly. Tank size depends on the compressor’s capacity and how you use the air.
• Air dryer: compressed air carries moisture that damages tools and spoils blasting and paint finishes. A refrigerated air dryer or aftercooler removes it.
• Placement: compressors make noise and heat, so install them away from the main work area where you can, with good ventilation.

Most popular air compressors

The compressors Capital Machinery Sales supplies most often include the Senator DS22, CM15, DS37 and DS55 rotary screw compressors, the Peerless PT30 and PT35 single phase piston compressors, the Peerless PHP52 petrol compressor and the FS-Curtis FAC-52BC diesel compressor. See the most popular air compressors with specifications.

Supply and support

Capital Machinery Sales supplies, services and supports air compressors across Australia from Hallam, Melbourne. Spare parts are held in Melbourne, and we deliver Australia-wide and to New Zealand.

Air compressor FAQs

Should I buy a rotary screw or a piston compressor?

Piston compressors suit smaller workshops and stop-start use. Rotary screw compressors suit steady, all-day air demand such as production and blasting.

What is a two stage compressor?

A two stage piston compressor compresses the air twice, cooling it between stages, for higher pressure and better efficiency than a single stage compressor.

What size air compressor do I need?

Add up the air your tools use at the same time, check their working pressure, then allow a margin for growth and leaks.

Can I run an air compressor on single phase power?

Yes. Models such as the Peerless PT30 and PT35 run on single phase. Larger compressors need three phase.

Do I need an air dryer?

If you blast, paint or run air tools, yes. A refrigerated air dryer or aftercooler removes the moisture that damages tools and finishes.