HOW TO BUILD A CUSTOM HEAVY-DUTY MAILBOX & ADDING FENCE ARMOR POST PROTECTOR
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2018
- This video shows how to build a custom 5"x5" Cedar mailbox. I purchased a 6x6 beam and ripped it down on a 10" tablesaw. The design is inspired with an Arts & Crafts style post. The final process of this build includes a Fence Armor post protector, which is the metal powder coated base protector. To find out more, I'll provide their website.
Fence Armor Post Protector: fencearmor.com/
Question of the day: Would you build your own mailbox or buy one at the store? Does the 5"x5" size look ideal or a little excessive?
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Thanks for watching!
I'm watching these videos because I'm building my own.
I questioned myself during the building process, but I can say now that it's worth it.
I'm building my own after watching your video. Thank you so much and keep up the good work.
That's awesome, glad to hear it!
Thank you for the content. I’m building one similar. Thanks for the ideas!
You bet, mine is still holding up well structurally. I need to sand it down and refinish it though.
I just finished my install of this mailbox post. Thanks for the awesome video!!!
Awesome, glad to hear it. I need to take mine out and sand it and refinish it. I'm very happy the the design and look of this one.
I simply love your design. I'm watching this to replace my damaged post. The lady and I are building rather than buying. However we are going to stain as well.
Awesome, I'm very happy with this design. It's a little step up from what you can buy. The custom thickness has proven to hold up well agains snow plows and looks more substantial too.
Exactly what I'm looking for!! I don't have a table saw to rip the 6X6 down, so I may do a 6X6. But I like the beveled top and the neat trim addition to the top! If I have to use a 6X6, I'd probably want to use carriage bolts. But you gave me the basics and I will be replacing mine as soon as the ground thaws here in MN. That Fence Armor will be nice as my trimmer has thinned out the post over the last 15 years. Great job and great instructions. Thanks!!
Thanks, glad you like it! I've wanted to build something that's just a little different, but heavy duty. This has held up well so far. It's worth the time and effort to me.
Really fantastic video, Mark! The videography down to the details in the mailbox post. Very well done. Helpful step by steps and it turned out great! Glad to see it will be protected for many years to come 👍🏻😀
Thank you, glad you like it!
You are very welcome!
After seen a few videos I really like the way you did your mailbox Post "Best" ty
Thanks man, I appreciate it! I'm planning on adding the build plans on my website soon.
Build my own!!!
Thanks 🙏
Awesome! The one in the video help up well through the first winter.
Good job! It looks nice and neat and sturdy. I will probably not build my own only because I don't have the tools and judging from the cost of the post, it would be cheaper to buy. But yours is great and you're right, it's there is a lot of satisfaction building something.
Thank you! It held up nice through the winter season. It was worth it to spend a little more on the mailbox itself.
Awnswer to your question is build my own. Looking up your video to see what I am getting into. Looks great!
Thank you. I'm glad I spent the time and money to build my own. Every time I pull into my driveway, it's a boost to my pride to see the custom heavy duty mailbox.
My mailbox was just demolished again for the 6th time in 8 years since we lived here. After the first 5 times and several replacements, we installed a completely new mailbox with a 4×4 wooden post last fall. Secured at the bottom with one of those metal post spikes that you pound into the ground 2 feet. We also decided to get a 2 foot x 4 foot wooden panel to put on the right side (the direction the traffic comes from) and that was drilled onto a 4×4 wooden post, as well as another metal post spike we fitted the 4x4 wood post into, painted it bright orange, and put a ton of reflectors on with our address, then pounded into the ground, since we figured maybe people just are not seeing our mailbox. Earlier today I woke up to find my compartment part of my mailbox broken apart on our porch with our mail and leaves mixed in. I assume the mail lady collected it from the side of the road and left it for us. On the side of the road I only see a small section on the 2 foot by 4 foot wooden panel with 2 reflectors still attached. Don't know where the rest went. Into the woods maybe. Also the wooden 4x4 my mailbox was attached to, along with the metal post spike bent in half completely out of the ground. The 4x4 wooden post that held our wooden panel is not out of the ground, but the 4x4 post is completely broken apart and the metal spike post is still sunk in the ground but bent over at the top. I'm at a loss as to how to keep people from hitting my mailbox and I feel like throwing my hands up and giving up, except for you know, I still kinda need my mail. I know I can't install anything dangerous but I'm really ticked off because no one has ever had the decency to stop and say "i hit your mailbox", not that i got the ok from the post office to install what we had because they offer no help and don't return calls. I don't know if what we installed was legally ok. But above ground it's just all wood and plastic. Anyone have any ideas as to not have to replace yearly? And legally?
That's a great question. I've seen someone who put their mailbox on top of a 4x4 with a bungee cord holding it in place. I guess it kept getting hit by the snow plow so they would bring their mailbox in at night. It's a pain having to do that, but I guess it helped them get by. I also see people put 5/4 deck boards to the right side of their mailbox, building a barrier wall to prevent the snow plow from busting up their mailbox. Can your mailbox go a further back from the road, so it's not as close? That might help people from hitting it.
@@MarkThomasBuilder
We have discussed moving the mailbox back a bit more. Problem being we can't really go back more than a few inches because right behind my mailbox the ground goes lower and lower and then within a couple feet back we are dealing with thick brush and woods. Also a steep drop off down to a lake past the tree line. The post office told me today that the mailbox needs to be chest level (had to travel there in person to put my mail on hold), but as far as how far back it is allowed to go as well as what I can build there, that they don't make the rules, the township does. Essentially they are saying "hey lady, not our problem", you have to get the township involved. Welp I'm going into early November in Michigan and need to get something in before it snows and the ground is frozen, so again, how long until I just throw my hands up and say OK screw it, idk 😐. Looking at the tire tracks from whomever hit my box this time I would of had to have it back another 1-2 feet for no damage to happen which is not possible. The only other thing I can think of is moving the mailbox to the side of the road my house is actually on. Problem with that is I live near the top of a blind hill and that is why I'm assuming the mailbox is on that side of the road to begin with. We just can't win lol
Great design - doing mine much the same but a 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 post and using a 24 inch OZ=POST ANCHOR. Great video....Thanks!
Thanks! Mine held up great through the winter snow plow season. Yours sounds extra heavy duty!
Great video and great work. I am watching to replace my damaged mailbox post also.
On a funny note: please put a video up of the car that is unfortunate enough to hit this one. LOL!
Haha, I'm mostly worried about the snow plow from the county trucks.
I wish we could protect them from getting ran over like yours...lol
Yeah, I know what you mean. Mine is still holding up well. It needs to be sanded and stained.
That's a damn nice looking post. I would build my own because the ones at the store don't come long enough to get 2 feet in the ground and meet post office regulations at the same time. I'm about to start on mine soon.
Mine has been going strong. I just need to sand it down and restain it with marine varnish.
I live on a corner of a 3-way intersection. In first 8 years I've lived here my mailbox was hit or brushed five times. The fifth time destroyed my post and mailbox. I replaced the box, but made a post from a limb of a tree I had to cut down. Since then, the limb post has rotted a bit and was just recent hit again. The mailbox was essentially destroyed and the limb post withstood the damage except most of the bark has broken off. Now, I'm looking at designing a rebar-enforced concrete post. It's too bad drivers can't avoid mailboxes.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I've had my work mailbox hit several times before people had phones to distract them. Once in awhile, the person who hit them fixed them, but that was rare.
This cedar mailbox design is expensive, but has held up well to the snow that gets thrown from the plows. In fact, I need to sand it down and refinish it with some sealant or poly.
Always build your own. Like the style, planting my new one tomorrow.
Cool! Every time I get my mail, I'm seem to notice how nice it looks
Awesome mailbox what were your dimensions I like the custom built
Built my own today, just need to paint it before I plant it. I like the grooves in yours.
Awesome, I'd say it's worth the effort to build you own.
I just checked the pre made prices at HD, I would DIY for sure. A shame though, in 20 years it has survived 2 trash trucks, a moving van and most recently a CAT 5 Hurricane. It's got more lag bolts and metal in it than Forrest Gumps leg braces. Thanks for the video!!!
Lol, that sounds like my previous mailbox. My new one survived one winter season so far. Good luck with your new mailbox.
After watching this I’ll make my own!
Oh, cool! It's worth it to me. Hope it goes well!
I make my own which I've done a couple of times
I need to sand mine down and refinish it. I think making one is worth it.
Amazing 👍🏼!!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Can you list a dimension plan for lengths, cuts, etc.? Thanks great video!
I'm going to work on getting the dimensions this weekend and posting it to my website blog. I'll respond back one more time when it's on there.
markthomasbuilder thanks man, looking forward to it.
I know this is late but 27 years ago a saw these ppl mailbox kept getting hit. The ppl put down a fake post, that put a halt to the problem quick. It was a 1/2 thick walled 10 inch diamter steel pipe cement filled and put some 1×12 around it to make it look like a regular post. The kid that kept hitting the mailbox crushed the front end of his truck the next time he hit it. I don't know if thats legal now days though.
Probably not legal nowadays. I don't think the newer trucks are built the same either. One of the trucks I drove growing up was a 79 Dodge and it had a shiny chrome bumper and metal grill. I was never nervous if a deer jumped out in front of me, which never happened luckily.
@@MarkThomasBuilder right after watching your video I scrolled down about 2 vids and saw a video about a homeowner being sued for an "ovwrbuilt" mailbox post. Someone hit black ice and slid into the post rolled the vehicle and paralyzed the driver from neck down. So yea it's not illegal but not recommended either.
great job came out awesome. no doubt you have to build your own they dont make things like that.
Thanks you! It took some work, but it was worth the effort.
Why not use the 6'' post size? Heavy duty and still stands out. Believe a hit on any size post will set off air bags. I put up a snowplow guard for Winter. They get a kick out of damaging mailboxes.
I like the look of the 4.5" post size best. It's still holding up well after 2 winters.
Where did you buy your mailbox? Any info you have on it would help. Nice job!
Thanks! I bought the mailbox at Home Depot. I'm not sure of the model name. I'll let you know if I find out.
hello mark, my wife found this post and it looks really good....I'm not sure if it was ever mentioned how long the finished post is? is it 6 feet long? 4 feet exposed and 2 feet in the ground? Thank you!
I will have to measure again, but here's some info I found here in the Q&A section... The posts are 4.5" x 4.5" and the horizontal piece is 30" overall and the vertical piece is 67" out of the ground. I believe I went about 2.5' in the ground.
@@MarkThomasBuilder OK..thank you!
If I had all the fancy tools to get the job done I would attempt to make my own 😉
A circular saw is a good power tool to start building things with.
Im making one right now, looks pretty much like yours but using pressure treated wood. Letting it dry in the basement so i can stain it.
Awesome, glad to hear it. I'm thinking about putting the exact dimensions on my website.
Well my mail man looked at me funny about my stairs getting older i gess . Its time but a stand up mailbox is cheeper;) thanks for the vid awsome build !
Thanks, and it sounds like your mailman is thankful too, lol.
Love the North Stars hat!!!
Thanks man! 💯👍
Any chance you have a cut list? I would like to make an identical mailbox. Looks fantastic!!
Thanks glad you like it! The posts are 4.5" each and the horizontal piece is 30" overall and the vertical piece is 67" out of the ground. If you need something more specific, reach out to me on Instagram and I can post a quick video to my feed.
Starting on mine today, long overdue the snow plow got mine over the winter since there's a bridge a few feet from my driveway the driver noticed the car crossing the bridge but not my mailbox when tucking his blade away 😂
Oh wow, that stinks! Good luck on your new mailbox build!
markthomasbuilder Thanks and and add on another one for the awesome help us out video... Great job😊
build my own
Awesome!
That's heavy duty, if a car hits that one you'll probably find the car not to far away
Ha! My main concern is that it holds up to the snow thrown off the county plows.
I recently had to do this because our mailbox got knock over by a plow truck but didn't get heavily damaged. The post had essentially rotted at ground level due to water intrusion. Instead of burying the post into the ground I purchased an oz post that you drive into the ground using a sledge hammer or jackhammer. It should last a long time because I coated the post using primer before I installing it. Those oz posted have a 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 bracket welded to the top so it, essentially, accomplishes three tasks by keeping the post anchored to the ground, keeping it from rotting, and protects it from weed-eaters. It should be easy to replace should it get knocked over again as the wood will break easier than steel. Theoretically, you should be able to remove the old post and install a new one in the top of the oz post. Those oz posts are not cheap though.
Interesting, I never heard of them. I'll have to check them out.
@@MarkThomasBuilder Check them out here on youtube as they have a few videos up.
I prefer to build my own stuff.
I questioned myself in the middle of this build, but I'm glad I finished it. No one else in my area has one quite like this.
I would make my own new one and I have a few times.
Cool! It's interesting to drive around and see all the different styles.
GR8 Job.. But - how come you did not cement it in - any particular reason. Buster
Thanks man, I just used the sand that I had on hand. It's held up well since making this video. I may try and refinish the stain before winter.
Nice mailbox. Can you come build mine. 😊
No problem, it might be a little expensive now with lumber prices skyrocketing.
Yes first they came by and wham off came the top, I put it back that must of pissed them off they now just caved in the mail box . And out in the county that is such a minor offence you cant even come out to look.
I don't have experience with the dent proof mailboxes, but it may be your best option.
I work 2 jobs. I wish to find one as nice as yours. You should sell them.
Thanks, I'd love to have that for a business.
I'm gonna wing it and try to make my own if it looks like crap at least I'm a painter I can make anything look good lol
Haha, paint certainly helps! Best of luck on your project!
It's already done it took me about 2 hours and now it looks better than ever
So no cement?
No, I dug the hole a little larger than the post and filled it in with play sand. It packs in tight. I also have clay soil.
I'm building mine out of railroad cross ties
Sounds heavy duty and should last for years.
Id make my own and incorporate a small camera that records the little pricks that broke the first one....Then I would beat them with the old mailbox post....
Oh jeez! I'm glad I built my own. It was a lot of effort upfront, but gives me pride every time I get the mail.
to buy pre made it be about 500 bucks ,I am building one tomorrow someone
just ran mine down
Oh wow, you'll save quite a bit. Hope it goes well and lasts a long time! I'm at the point where I need to sand mine down and refinish it with some type of marine varnish.
great work but I bought mine premade for $25 at DA Home Depot and with no work it looks exactly the same. I guess doing the work yourself is a reward in itself.
They have some nice premade designs and will save you a lot of time. I actually built my post thicker and it's made of cedar. I've had a snow plow actually damage my old store bough ones. This one is still going strong.
@@MarkThomasBuilder Glad you commented back because that is what subscribers want to see happen because so many channels out there believe themselves to be so big and so self important they fail to realize they are nothing without their Subscribers. I too worried about the snowplow but I pre plow for about 100 yards before my mailbox which give the snowplow less to push my way. I do have a new Kubota to make things easier.
Thanks for sharing, I enjoy responding and having these conversations. As far as the snow plows go, it's the very wet snow that worries me about the mailbox getting beat up. We had a county plow truck that used to take out mailboxes more often. I think we have someone with better skills, because my mailbox is still standing, lol.
@@MarkThomasBuilder On that same subject let me tell you what my 15 year old Dad and my Grandfather did back in 1940. These Hell Raising teenagers of the time were running down mailboxes with an old Flatbed and took down my Grandfathers mailbox twice. (They had been spotted but not caught) My Grandfather being an old metal worker and Dad spent most of one Saturday digging a hole deep enough to bury an 8 foot high 16 inch across I-Beam and securing it with cement and rock. I believe Dad said he put boards inside the eye beam to make it look like wood and painted it brown. It was almost a month later when everyone woke up to a huge crash. The 3 teens in the truck were okay but the old flatbed was bumper wrapped around that slightly bent mailbox post. My Grandmother had a copy of the picture taken by the Sherriff. My Grandfather left that I-Beam post up and was never bothered again.
Oh man, that sure taught them a lesson, lol.
$112 for the lumber? That’s insane. Just get pressure treated and stain it
I know it's a little pricey. I like the look of Cedar and went with a light coating of semi transparent stain on it. I also have a nice 1x6 -12 board left over for some shelves.
I recommend Stodoys to every beginner and not only.
I found some amazing plans for Stodoys plans. Just check them out.
yea, but I would be way more simple, post in the ground, mailbox on top... done. Looks good but expensive.
I questioned whether this would be worth it while building it. I'm glad I did so I can enjoy the results for 2 years so far and hopefully more.
Hi, I will have my husband build it. . In fact I just want a better one than the sml one we have.
I'm very happy with this size and design. If I built another one, I'd build it exactly like this one.
Being a single woman, I will go purchase. I really love your creation tho!
Thank you, I appreciate that!
If you were me, having to replace a mailbox, would you buy a pre-made one or build something custom? If you built it, would you do anything different?
My PVC mailbox got destroyed by a car last night. Came across this video searching for inspiration on what to do with an old 6x6 in the garage. I think I may pass on the notches toward the top and will probably paint mine white to match the porch railing. Thanks for posting this!
Gale...no half measures....
I’ll make mine the same how ever will be a manly post 6x6 my own custom steel protector from metal shop. And an absolute it would be set in concrete I’m quite concerned why you would literally waste your time building this if not going to concrete in....🤷🏼♂️
I have heavy clay where I live. It literally hasn't budged, even after 2 snow plow seasons. If you ever build that mailbox, please share a picture with me. Instagram seems to be an easy way to get it to me.
You cut the wrong end of the mailbox support, you triangled the mailbox side instead of the opposite side after the knotch
Stop whining
@@sargelaforgia4787 get off your knees
Why not just use treated 4 by 4? They are way cheaper. $15 dollars compared to the $112 you spent. Plus you had to rip your expensive board. Seems like a waste of money
The extra size up from the 4x4 looks amazing and is different than every other mailbox on my road. It's also more durable from the snow plow in the winter. I was able to reuse the other Cedar pieces I cut down. With all that said, I questioned myself many times while building it, but the final results made it worth it.
what a waste of time and money