Abstract: Piston assemblies for rocking piston compressors, diaphragm compressors and vacuum pumps are provided wherein the overall mass of each piston assembly is identical to that of the other assembly despite having rod tops, retainers and diaphragms of different diameters and therefore different capacities. Each piston assembly includes a connecting rod connected to a rod top that supports a cup seal and a retainer or retainer plate. The mass of each rod is equal to that of the other rod despite the differing geometries. The mass of each retainer is the same as that of the other retainer despite the differing geometries. The overall length and stroke length of each piston assembly is the same. As a result, centers of gravity of the piston assemblies are continuously balanced on either side of the drive shaft in terms of distance from the drive shaft and in absolute value.