In a message dated 9/4/02 5:09:04 PM, ben@KBMC.NET writes:

<< I am aware of the stiff federal
penalties for "transporting if refilled", but am wondering if there's really
a good reason for this, >>

bmc,

I once asked this of a friend of mine who runs a commercial refrigeration
business and also a field welding operation.  Here's a guy who spends his
days surrounded by every kind of bottled gas generally consumed.  His reply
was that only a fool would refill a disposable bottle for the couple of bucks
it would save.  When he told me that, I thought of the aftermath I had seen
caused by a damaged acetylene tank which exploded.  That's all I had to know.

George