scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·Time Warner Cable
 ·Embarq Now Centu..
| %$^%#% - Mail box post rotted out / fellover / was knocked Any suggestions on alternatives ?
Fortunately, today I caught my contractor rural delivery Carrier and filled out a card for them to hold our mail for now, although that will mean stopping at the post Office daily to get it until...
Options -
1 (easiest) - rent a PO Box at either the Post Office or at the local pack'n'Ship
2. Goto Lowes Depot and get a post setup of some kind, and spend a good part of Saturday getting it put in.
There are , of course , multiple materials that could be used...
(Putting the mailbox on the house is NOT an option - the carrier doesn't leave the car for deliveries except for packages) |
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 pikePremium,MVM
join:2001-02-01
Washington, DC
kudos:3 | This. |
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| reply to scooper
Get a post from HD. Also some fast setting concrete.
Remove old post and dig a hole large enough. Put post, add dry concrete, pour water. Done.
Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. |
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 tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:8
·G4 Communications
·Fairpoint Commun..
 ·Hollis Hosting
| reply to scooper
There are lots of mailbox kits out there or just go out and get a pressure treated 4x4. Ours is not set in concrete but when I planted it screwed a horizontal 2x4 below ground level to provide stability.
Our post has lasted for decades. I to change horizontal arm this year as the snow plows got a little too close over the winter.
/tom |
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sk1939Premium
join:2010-10-23
Washington, DC
kudos:9 | reply to scooper
Build it out of brick, then laugh maniacally when you find car parts scattered nearby a few weeks later (happened to a neighbor). |
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 jack bGone FishingPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
kudos:1 | reply to scooper
This may sound silly, but call 811 for a underground utilities markout before you dig. It doesn't cost you anything, unless you hit a buried fiber-optic cable or other critical infrastructure, then it gets really expensive really fast.
--
~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ |
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 nunyaWho is John Galt?Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
kudos:8
·Charter
·surpasshosting
 ·voip.ms
| reply to scooper
Easiest is to buy one at Lowe's Depot. On a rural route, they are more strict about the guidelines (height & distance to road).
It's not rocket science to build a basic mailbox post out of a 4 x 4.
I wouldn't put it in concrete:
#1) it will hold water and make it rot faster.
#2) it will be a pain in the ass in 10 years when you need to replace it. Digging out an oddly shaped hunk of concrete sucks donkey butt.
--
...because I care. |
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guppy_fishPremium
join:2003-12-09
Lakeland, FL
kudos:1 | reply to scooper
Big box ( HD/Lowes) have 100% complete mailbox with posts, all you do is dig the hole stick the mail box/ post in and refill/pack the dirt. Maybe 30 minutes if you take breaks |
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cwm1276
join:2004-01-16
Stillman Valley, IL Reviews:
·Comcast
| reply to scooper
After having to do mine like twice in a year, Garbage truck in summer and pickup in snow. I got one of these »www.menards.com/main/tools-hardw···8869.htm
I could drive it into the ground, then just put the 4x4 in the top. Hopefully next time it breaks I can just remove the 4x4 and replace. Winter and frost does not make digging possible, if course when it is most likely to be hit. |
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| reply to scooper
I'm normally a DIY guy myself but in this case I'd just buy one ready made from Lowes or Home Depot, dig a post hole, drop it in, and call it a day. |
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| reply to scooper
I got tired of digging the posts into the ground years ago. Now when I need a new mailbox setup I do the following:
1. Buy a mailbox post from HD/Lowes
2. Buy a planter box/bucket/whatever, just something kinda decorative
3. Buy a smaller HD/Lowes bucket to go inside the planter
4. Buy some quick-dry concrete
5. Buy some potting soil
6. Cut the post to the correct height
7. Mix concrete, stand post in bucket (#3), pour in concrete
8. Put the bucket/post combination into the planter
9. Add potting soil
10. Add flowers as (the wife) desired
11. Screw mailbox onto post
Depending on how big the external planter is you could skip the inside one. In the past I've used wooden planter boxes but after a winter or three they tend to rot out. My current one is using a plastic planter and has lasted two winters with no issues. |
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tcopePremium
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT
kudos:2 | reply to scooper
I went with a 6x6 piece of treated lumber as my post. It should last a little while. |
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tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:8 Reviews:
·G4 Communications
·Fairpoint Commun..
·Hollis Hosting
| reply to nunya
Completely agree with nunya  on both counts. don't put post in concrete.
BTW here are the requirements for mailbox. Pretty straightforward.
»www.usps.com/manage/know-mailbox···ines.htm
/tom |
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 DraimanLet me see those devil horns in the sky
join:2012-06-01
Kill Devil Hills, NC | reply to scooper
Grab one of these.
»www.mailswing.com/ |
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| reply to scooper
All I get is junk mail anyway
Maybe a PO Box and check it every couple weeks when in area |
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 AMDUSERPremium
join:2003-05-28
Earth
kudos:1 | reply to pike
Now theres an idea... 
I wonder if the post office would complain about what it looks like..  |
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DraimanLet me see those devil horns in the sky
join:2012-06-01
Kill Devil Hills, NC Reviews:
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to scooper
A revolver mailbox. |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
| reply to sk1939
said by sk1939:Build it out of brick, then laugh maniacally when you find car parts scattered nearby a few weeks later (happened to a neighbor).
Happened to me twice. Same House. The cars did not fare well at all. I'm on my 3rd brick mailbox. I guess I should start painting cars on the side for each confirmed kill.
Last time a lady hit it because she was distraught from her mother's death and had her mind on other things.
I got acquainted with her and her husband and they were over for pool parties a few times.
Dave
--
I may have been born yesterday. But it wasn't at night. |
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nunyaWho is John Galt?Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
kudos:8 | What does she look like in a bikini? Was it worth a mailbox?
--
...because I care. |
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 The PigI know you want to be mePremium
join:2009-09-11 | reply to scooper
In the long run a mailbox is better!
You don't have to waste gas to go to the PO and you will not have to worry if you get sick and can't get to the PO!
Soak the ground where the old post (cement) is and the old cement will come out easily (easy to dig up mud), then reuse that hole to put your new mailbox in!
If you are putting a wood post in coat the part going in the ground with pinetar first! |
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