American Flag Mailbox Bashing...ARRGHH

[jdmar]

Ok, so I know we all deal with this...but it is still frustrating. When I first moved here I lost as many boxes as days in the week. Then I carefully painted a regular mailbox like an American Flag. Well, believe it or not it actully lasted over a year! Yes, it took some small blows and bends, but "by dawn's early light" it was still holding together! Finally a couple weeks ago it took a good hit. I was able to bend it back, but still the time had come....

So off to the BBS (big box store) and I bought a 23 pound, approx 1/8" thick steel one for about $60. It "gaurantees" vandal proof. I doubt that, but it should hold up better.

I first thought of drilling a few holes and filling on of the plastic ones with concrete...but I hear about potential legal issues. I also thought of buying a larger "rural" box and a regular size box and filling the space between them (if one placed in the other) with concrete. I don't want to be sued though. I hear that the biggest suit issue/risk is the ability of the post to break away (not larger than 4x4) rather than the stiffness of the box. But I figure if I buy a USA made USPS approved box I am safest.

So this AM my wife called as she drove out our drive. Our box is laying in the street in parts. Only good news is I already painted the heavy replacement....what do you think? I just need to put on a clear coat and attach the outgoing mail flag. I hope Old Glory shows them a trick or two this time! Wish us luck.
Peter

 

[weldingisfun]

Good luck and nice work. Looks great!

 

[ToadHill]

My neighbor made one out of a piece of 8" cast iron water pipe. It's held up for over 15 years.

 

[jdmar]

The pipe was another idea...but I have to finish the barn so I have a place to weld. And I had not yet figured how to do the hinge...hmmm
Peter

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Vandal proof, now that's funny! And the World Trade Towers will never come down too.

My mailbox got blown up about 10 years ago. I put up another cheap one and told a couple of the town blabber mouths that I can't wait until the next time it happens because I put a camera pointing at the mailbox. That mailbox has been there 10 years untouched. Figured that was cheaper than buying a camera.

 

[wushaw]

You should have painted the Confederate flag on it to really test it

 

[Chuck52]

I had the same problem, and also bought the heavy duty box from Lowes. If it has been hit, I can't tell it. It would take more than the casual whack with a bat to do much to it.

Chuck

 

[Taylortractornut]

A friend of mine that farms had a large parcel box put up, and some town kids had fun with it evey weekend. He tought of it and toght ofthe lawsuits and stuff and fugured his box would have to be replaced. He built a nice masonry decorative flower bed and came up one corner block short for the top. The hardware stored didnt have one so he ordered one and it it was mailable USPS. He was chisleing that night and when he came home didnt check the mail. That night they heard a large crash and and it was a rsted out Blazer that had been seen in the area. When he didnt check the mail the kids came through and whacked his box and its cargo. The kids parents tried to sue but it was thrown out when they found out that the USPS had placed the block there.

 

[Lasgambler]

I wish I had to worry about mail box vandalism. I live in an area with no Rural Delivery. Its only 26 miles to the Post Office round trip. Terry

 

[jinjimbob]

You see that CSI:LV episode about that guy that filled the mailbox with concrete?

Our road clubbed together and got a locking mailbox rack that is on the first paved road, as the post office doesn't drive more than half a mile on a dirt road, so they say.

Why don't you put a metal pipe filled with concrete before and after the mailbox, at the same level, is that ok?

I see a mailbox that is surrounded by the large corrugated black plastic pipe, I'll bet the bats just bounce off.