Mailbox Security The Homemade Way

[ray66v]

Mailbox vandalism is pretty bad in my dads neighborhood. So, he built an indestructible mail box out of 6" square tube.

The vandals took it up as a challenge. They burned it, put a bomb inside it, put acid inside it, and wrapped a chain around it and bent it over with a dually.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

Oh I see now!:thumbsup:
But that would never work in my area, every one who works for the post office around here is dumber than a box of rocks! Most of them can't even read!

added a picture of front door model to last post.

 

[muddstopper]

I gave up on mail boxes years ago. In the age before direct deposit, I used to get my paycheck in my mailbox, delivered by the common USPS mail person. It got to the point that my checks where always late. I once got a check, that had already been replaced after the manditory two wk waiting period. The envelope had been opened and someone had wrote across the front of the envelope, this person does not live at this address. This told me right quick that my paycheck had been left at the wrong address and that person had opened it and then left it setting around for a couple of wks before deciding to put it back in the mail. At that time, I went and got a PObox. I have plenty of bad stories about the pobox as well. As soon as direct deposit became available, I started having my paychecks electronicly deposited in the bank. We also do most of our banking and bill paying online as well. Only mail I get in the POBox is usually junk mail, which I promply take straight back to the outgoing mail slot and deposit. My name is not boxholder and I dont want boxholders mail so I make sure I dont take none of boxholders mail home with me, instead I give the PO a second chance to deliver it correctly by dropping it into the outgoing mail slot. Yea, I have to walk past the trash can in order to do this, but there is a sign taped inside my box that specificly states that I dont want any junk mail or advertisements that are not directly addressed to me, to not be placed inside my box. Its been there for several years and was placed there by my request to the Post Master in charge of my post office. Since Most of the postal workers dont seem to be able to read, the sign oftens gets ignored. And they wonder why the postal service is going broke.

 

[kneedeep]

Several family members have retired or are still working for the USPS. I agree that the service provided is not as good as private firms (UPS, Fedex) but the postal service must deliver all mail that is paid for to be delivered. If it weren't for the 'junk mail' business, the USPS would probably be out of business. The big boys charge way too much for all the flyers, catalogs, coupons, etc to deliver. USPS gets stuck with all the 'junk'. I have a mailbox at our lake place just for E911 and have to 'clean out' my security box every couple of months of junk. I have requested no junk, but if it has my address regardless of what name is on it, it gets crammed in with the rest of the junk. The postmaster has even called me to request a 'cleanout' when no more can be packed in it.

Your Government at work!!

 

[sixdogs]

Make sure the post is stuck in the qround real well. I'm sure you thought about it but so have the young turks intent on getting that mailbox.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I realy like your design and workmanship. The only problem I see is that it apears to be on the easment of the road. If it is not on your property and someone hits it and gets injured you are probably going to be liable. This happened to my best friends dad. Check with your county or the post office and see what the regulations are. In our area the post can be be no larger than 4"x4" wood or 2"x2"x1/8 steel. The same size as a post for a stop sign, so that if some one hits it it will bend over or snap off.I would hate to see some one get hurt bad and you get in deep trouble over a mail box.
Bill

 

[ruffdog]

I agree. If it's a home made box that is heavy and goes through a windshield when someone hits it, you will need a lawyer that is tougher than your mailbox. just saying

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

the pipe is 3" sched. 80 with tabs welded to the pipe on the lower portion to grab the poured concrete and not sperate.
It is aslo stainless steel so it will not rust over the years.
The front of the box is set back legal distance inside the curb egde so the postman, street sweeper, garbage and recycling truck will not hit it.
I am on a slow residential road on a corner. Traffic only has about 90 - 100' feet to accelerate before reaching the mailbox as they drive past it.
If they hit it I hope they have their seatbelt on Michigan law so they don't go thru their window.
We have Mailboxes in subdivisions of our town that are made of 2' x 2' concrete bases mortar and brick 4' high that would stop a UPS truck going 55mph and hauling Chris Cristie's entire family.I'm not joking.
It's in there now and thats where it is going to stay.
Like I said earlier, my father in-law back out of the driveway with his 1 ton dooley and removed the entire composite box side off his Chevy truck.:confused3:
I have alot more DOT reflective tape on it now.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

Hereis a few other large mailboxes

 

[ruffdog]

Mailbox Placement and Replacement Policy

Installing a Mailbox

This is a guide to residents on proper installation of a mailbox as well as other mailbox information. All mailboxes need to be installed according the United States Postal Guidelines, which are detailed below.

All Mailboxes

1. Mailbox door must be behind the back edge of the curb for streets with curb and gutter, or behind the gravel edge on streets without curb and gutter.
2. Mailbox height should be 36” from the top of the curb to the bottom of the mailbox, or 42” from the top of the gravel to the bottom of the mailbox.
3. An acceptable support for a mailbox includes treated wood post 4” x 4” square, round post 4.5” in diameter, or soft metal 1.5” to 2.5” in diameter. Posts should be embedded no more than 24” into the ground and compacted with sand or gravel, not concrete.
4. Decorative mailboxes that have massive supports such as telephone type pole sections, heavy metal posts, concrete posts, brick or stone posts, brick planters, antique farm equipment, or other similar objects are prohibited because they do not meet federal break-away standards. Any supports must be designed so that if struck, it will bend away from the striking vehicle to prevent severe damage to the vehicle or injury to the traveling public. Property owners may be held liable for injury or damages for mailboxes that do not meet postal guidelines.
5. Street number should be posted on your mailbox and your house.
6. Mailbox should state “Approved by U.S. Post Office Dept.”