I know I shouldn't but will put my two cents in. I think you've identified the problem. That being cheap HF crap. I have two good American made pressure pots. Small one (100 lbs) is a Brut. I think they're in Ohio. It works. My big one is a 300 lb Clemco, 1975 vintage. They're in San Fran if I'm not mistaken and still making quality pots. Two other observations. First, I do not use sand. 30-60 copper slag works great. I also do not sift and reuse. You just can't clean it up enough and it clogs. Third, water is the enemy. We all know that. I live in the desert where we don't have much in the air but you have to remember that your compressor makes water, especially if it's working hard. You need a good trap or two to catch it before it gets to the pot or you're done.
