For most workshops, a reciprocating (piston) air compressor is the practical first choice — cost-effective, easy to maintain, and widely supported. Larger production workshops should step up to a screw air compressor for continuous duty. Multi Trade Combines stocks ELGi compressors in Guwahati, with delivery across Assam and the Northeast.
Choosing the right duty cycle for your operation
A reciprocating compressor is the workhorse of small to mid-size workshops. It builds pressure in a tank, cuts off, and restarts — perfect for pneumatic spanners, tyre inflation, spray guns and blow guns used intermittently. ELGi reciprocating models cover 0.5 HP up to 10 HP with tank sizes from 25 to 500 litres.
A screw compressor is designed for 100% duty cycle — it never needs a rest cycle. If your workshop runs continuous painting lines, sand-blasting cabinets, or feeds multiple CNC tools simultaneously, a screw compressor cuts energy costs and maintenance downtime. ELGi screw compressors are a benchmark in Indian industry for long service life and low specific power consumption.
Browse: ELGi Reciprocating Compressor | ELGi Screw Compressor | Garage & Automation Catalogue
CFM, pressure, power supply and after-sales support
CFM (air delivery): match the compressor's free air delivery to the total demand of all tools running simultaneously — pneumatic tools show CFM ratings on their spec sheets.
Pressure (bar/PSI): most workshop tools need 6–8 bar. Sand-blasting and some spray applications need higher — confirm with the tool manufacturer.
Power supply: single-phase (230V) compressors up to about 2 HP are plug-and-play; larger units need a three-phase 415V supply with a proper motor starter.
Service network: ELGi has one of the strongest service networks in Northeast India, with Multi Trade Combines on AT Road, Guwahati as a stocking dealer for parts and consumables.
For general workshop use — running pneumatic tools, spraying, inflation — a 1–2 HP reciprocating compressor with a 50–100 litre tank is sufficient. Heavy fabrication shops running multiple tools simultaneously need 3–5 HP or more, or a screw compressor. Contact Multi Trade Combines on AT Road, Guwahati for a sizing recommendation: +91 91812 13332.
A reciprocating (piston) compressor runs in cycles and is ideal for intermittent use such as workshops, tyre shops and small garages. A rotary screw compressor runs continuously at lower noise and is suited for production lines and painting booths that need constant compressed air. ELGi makes reliable versions of both.
Multi Trade Combines on AT Road, Guwahati stocks ELGi reciprocating and screw air compressors and can arrange delivery across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and the broader Northeast. Call +91 91812 13332 or WhatsApp +91 76359 98826.