Homeless in Vancouver: The write way to weld

This was supposed to be a Tuesday weld post. But c’est la vie. Wednesday’s children need something to read also.

I’m fascinated by the welded serial numbers that turn up here and there on Vancouver street furniture—mostly Dumpsters but occasionally metal utility poles and access hole covers (aka a-hole covers).

I’ve been told welding alphanumerics is no more difficult than welding in general, but I wonder. Even so, it must be harder than using paint and stencils, which are by far the most common way to mark street furnishings.

The sole advantage of welding is the near indestructibility of the result—even ground down flat to the surrounding surface, the number will still be unmistakably visible.

This could just as easily be seen as a drawback, making it difficult to change the numbering system.

Another thing that might argue against welding the serial numbers is the impossibility of making them look impersonal—the result will always look handmade.

I wonder how much the welded letters and numbers in the following examples look like the welder’s own handwriting? 

Click the images to enlarge them.