Air compressor acting funny, what gives?!

I got mine at Lowes too. It's a little Cobalt. But it has a cast iron twin cylinder pump. So far so good. American made things are so far out of reach now for a lot of people.
I have the same (or very similar) one. I've lightly abused it and it's still up and kicking. Wouldn't try to run a commercial shop with it, but seems fine for 'hobbyist' use...