How to Build a Mail Box Post
If your old mailbox post has seen better days or you just want to add a little flair to your mailbox, relax. You can build a rustic mailbox post with relative ease. You will want it to be sturdy, compatible with the mailbox you have selected and in compliance with all United States Post Office regulations. This design will allow you to complete the project in less than a day at a very minimal cost. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 1 4-by-4-by-12 piece of lumber
- Skill saw
- Screwdriver
- 10 3-inch wood screws
- Posthole digger
- Level
- Carpenter's square
- Wood chisel
- Tape measure
Instructions
-
-
1
Prepare your materials. From the 4-by-4, you will cut three pieces of wood. The upright will need to be 6 feet long, the crosspiece will need to be 2 feet 4 inches long and the brace will need to be cut at 2 feet 6 inches. Use the skill saw to make your cuts. Remember to wear eye protection when using any power tool.
-
2
Make your detailed cuts. Make a mark 12 inches from the top of the upright. Make a second mark below this that directly matches the width of the 4-by-4. On the crosspiece, make your first mark 6 inches from one end with a second mark matching the width of the 4-by-4. Set your skill saw to a depth of 2 inches and cut along each of these marks. Use the wood chisel to remove the section of wood.
-
-
3
Assemble the components. Lay the crosspiece on the upright so the two notches you just cut overlap and fit together smoothly. If the two pieces do not fit smoothly, you may need to smooth the edges with the wood chisel. Making certain the two pieces are square, install four 3-inch wood screws where the two boards intersect. Now lay your brace section where it will angle down from the crosspiece to the upright. When you have it in place, mark the cuts you will need to make to have the ends fit flush against the two pieces. Use your skill saw to make these cuts; then install the brace using four 3-inch wood screws.
-
4
Prepare the hole. The front of your mailbox will need to be 6 to 8 inches from the curb. The hole for the mailbox will need to be 24 to 26 inches from the curb. You will want to dig the hole a minimum of 12 inches deep. If you can manage 18 inches, this will increase the stability of the post.
-
5
Place the post. Put the upright into the hole you have prepared. The bottom of the crosspiece must be no lower than 3 feet 6 inches and no higher than 4 feet from the road surface. Adjust the depth of the hole until the crosspiece is in the acceptable height range. Use the level to make certain the post is level in all directions; then either backfill the hole with dirt and pack it in tightly or fill the hole with cement. It may be necessary to install temporary braces to hold the post in place until the cement sets. Once the cement sets, you are ready to install your mailbox on the crosspiece.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you intend to paint the unit, you should put on your first coat of paint prior to assembly. The final coat of paint can go on just before you place the unit. You can make decorative cuts or apply caps to the exposed ends of the 4-by-4 for a more unique and finished look. These caps are available at most hardware stores.
The length of the crosspiece can be altered if you are using a larger mailbox. The standard lengths for mailboxes can range from 18 ½ to 22 ½ inches. Normally, you will want the crosspiece to be approximately 1 inch shorter than your mailbox.
