Compressors on this page are rated roughly 55 to 64 CFM. The piston option is a 20 HP duplex: the ABAC ABC10 Ironman duplex pairs two 10 HP two stage pumps on a 120 or 200 gallon horizontal tank for 64 CFM at 175 PSI. The rotary screw options are 15 HP machines such as the Atlas Copco G7L 15 and Chicago Pneumatic QRS 15, and the Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd variable speed screw. Oil free multi scroll packages from Quincy, Atlas Copco and Chicago Pneumatic cover 55 to 65 CFM for clean air work.

Duplex piston or rotary screw at 60 CFM

By 60 CFM the rotary screw is the default. A single 15 HP screw makes the air of a 20 HP duplex piston set, runs continuously, and holds pressure within a few PSI instead of cycling through a 30 PSI band. The duplex piston still wins in two cases: a shop with no three phase service that can run two 10 HP motors on separate single phase circuits, and a shop that wants a machine any local mechanic can rebuild. Multi scroll packages are for labs, food and pharma lines where oil free air is mandatory and noise matters.

Power and installation

A 15 HP screw at 460 volt draws about 21 amps; at 230 volt about 42 amps. A 20 HP duplex piston set needs two motor circuits or a combination starter panel. Rotary screws need 36 inches on the cooling air side and a receiver of at least 200 gallons so the machine does not hunt between load and unload.

Dryer sizing

Use a 75 CFM refrigerated dryer for a 60 CFM compressor. Cycling dryers save energy at this size when demand varies through the day; see the cycling refrigerated dryer page.

Related pages

• 50 CFM air compressors
• 70 CFM air compressors
• Variable speed rotary screw air compressors
• Shop all sizes by CFM