Air Compressor Types
Should you get a 20 gal vertical air compressor or a 20 gallon portable air compressor? It depends on your needs. If you want to have a basic understanding of this technology, then read about the different air compressor types below and choose between them on which works best with your specific power tool.
Reciprocating Piston Air Compressor
A reciprocating piston compressor is the most widely used type of compressor. It has an internal crankshaft drive just like the engine of your car. Furthermore, it uses a back-and-forth motion in order to create the vacuum that sucks the surrounding air around while retracting and pushing the air into the tank as its extends.
There's friction and wear-down happening on the internal components of the compressor because they're moving parts. They are in contact with one another, so it runs louder and hotter than other air compressor types. Nevertheless, newer technology such as the dual-piston and oil-free compressor reduce noise and overheating linked to this piston-type device.
Rotary Air Compressor
As for the rotary air compressor, it's known as one of the auto industry's trusted workhorses. It uses rotary screw tech that was introduced for heavy-duty applications that need high-power outputs for extended periods of time. These compressors are like supercharged hotrods in that they're ideal for maximum air intake and payout. As its sealed chamber receives the air, this gas is squeezed between two rotating screws.
The screws are helically opposed rotating screws; one male, one female. As inter-meshing happens between the screws, they decrease trapped air volume while delivering the gas in a compressed form and at the right pressure level. Compared to reciprocating piston air compressors, this rotary air compressor type have oil-sealed internal parts that don't touch and have fewer moving parts. It requires less maintenance over time.
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