[sbauman2]

I learned the lesson the hard way. When I originally purchased my oxy/acet set they were, as expected, new. At the time I was going to be using them a lot and got about a year I think it was out of them. I took them to the Praxair place where I got them to be refilled, that's when I found out about "no refills, only exchanges"; what'd I know, right. The next time I took them in it was about another year. That was when one of the guys from the back came out and told me that the acet. bottle was out of certification and I was charged I think around a $25 surcharge, I was not happy.
Here's how it works in CA.; I'll use my recently certified Argon bottle as an example. When a bottle is certified it has the month/year stamped on it. Now, say I wasn't using the family owned business I am and 2 years from now I took my now empty bottle to say an Airgas, asked for it to be filled, was told they didn't do that (only exchanges) and they brought out a bottle that has let's say 2 years left on the 10 year certification period, I'd be getting screwed out of 8 years of certification and if another 2 or more years went by and I took it in I'd be charged for the recertification which cost me $50 when I had mine done.
My recommendation is if you exchange your bottle, look at the date on the exchange bottle. If it's got substantially less time to the expiration date than yours, don't accept it. I rather imagine that most places use the refilled bottles with the closest expiration dates firs so they don't get stuck with them. If you're lucky enough to get a bottle that has more time than yours did you scored.

 

[1937Austin]

I bought my oxy-acetylene torches and tanks used, and both were brand new. I still have very full tanks after a decade because I rarely use them. By the time I'm gone one of my kids will end up paying to certify them, as I'm sure they're outdated by now.
I don't believe they charge for certification on owner tanks here, as every time I exchange them there's a $5 charge added on for "cylinder maintenance" which I'm betting ensures everybody pays for any tanks the company gets stuck with that need certifying, or wont pass certification.

 

[noted1017]

I've been leasing and most of those years it was $50.00/year. I'd say to myself that it might be better to just buy the bottles. Then I go out to the weld supply store with money in short supply, the clerk always seems to scare me with a price of somewhere over $300.00 n $50.00/year lease always wins out ………………………..until last year. The welding store I was going to for the past years is about 25 miles away. I stopped in and first thing I notice on the door a sign No Saturday hrs. I walk in and ask what's with no Sat, he says just cutting back then I look around and noticed shelves were empty, a little chit chat, got what I wanted, went home. The welding store (big national company) had gone crazy with the leases. I purchased some bottles for home. Then had a bill show up a few months later for leased bottles. This was a fight for a while, I complained to corporate office. After that ordeal, I pay with credit card. Then when I run out. I take the tank back to them and exchange it depending on which tank it is. Pay with credit card. Always get the receipt there. I also shy away from delivery after that ordeal with the company.

 

[1937Austin]

We got another gorgeous spring day here, so I got out and reworked my shock mounts. Cut the old stud off, and made a plate to raise it 2" and then welded it back on the riser.
Got a floor bracket built to mount the Moon pedal, and drilled the floor and mounted it also. It just rests on the spoon pedal I have, and pushes on it. Seems to feel fine, and fits my big foot OK too.