I want to make a mailbox post

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Hello, I am planning on making a mailbox post. I plan on using 4" square tubing. I have a simple design drawn up in AutoCAD, but I need your suggestions on how to actually install the post in the ground. I know there are a few people here who have made mailbox posts in the past. How did you install the finished post? Did you just use a post hole digger, then fill the dirt back in around the post? That doesn't seem like it would hold the post sturdy enough. Unless you use gravel too. I don't want to use cement. Did you sharpen the bottom of the post to a point to drive it into the ground?I was thinking of leaving the bottom of the tube open then just pounding it into the ground once it is finished. The only problem with this is that I might damage the top of the post, and I will damage the paint job which will be white by the way. Also, since it will be painted prior to installation, I don't want the bottom of the post to get scratched up which would cause it to rust.Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful. Thank You!Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:What about cementing a 4x4 pressure treated post into the ground and then just slide the steel post over it?Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:I just did one last month. I used a post hole digger went 24" and packed the dirt back in, it worked for me.
Reply:I made mine from 2 1/2" square tubing..Dug a 3 foot deep hole and just "planted" it..That was 8 yrs ago.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Cool, so I guess a post hole digger is the way to go. Rustywrangler, that sounds like a good idea, but I would rather not use cement. Thanks!Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Put some small "wings" or "fins" on each side of the post at the bottom.  That would give you a little more surface area to resist movement.  But with 4 x 4, you may not need it.John-----------------------------------|Craftsman 230/140 amp AC/DC BuzzboxSynchrowave 250
Reply:People have we been putting 4x4's in the ground for years. Post hole diggers were made just for this. Just big enough to fit.MmmmmmmmmmmmBeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrGooooooooooo  oodddd!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by PwrTurtlePut some small "wings" or "fins" on each side of the post at the bottom.  That would give you a little more surface area to resist movement.  But with 4 x 4, you may not need it.
Reply:Originally Posted by petersenj20People have we been putting 4x4's in the ground for years. Post hole diggers were made just for this. Just big enough to fit.
Reply:Here's a few pics of mine and how it was mounted to the post..Mailbox..These are from underneeth..Been there for 8 yrs..And I have hit it twice plowing snow.. And by the way..its a good thing to put tape over the holes on the bottom..Mine fell off..Keeps the hornets from building a nest inside..That has happened already.....zap!Last edited by zapster; 06-10-2007 at 12:03 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Funny.  I just finished building two gate posts for my Mt Hood property (kinda similiar).  Will run up to set them next weekend.Used 4"x4"x.25" steel 6' tall.  Will be planting them 3' down with a concrete pour to seal the deal.  Figure that ought to take care of people using the driveway...I know that I wouldnt want to hit it.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:i'd love to see the dumbass that tries to play mailbox baseball with THAT thing. one swing from the car window that's a little too low...with full intent and better sense to recognize what is false and part with it.
Reply:check you state/local laws regarding mailbox posts.  In ct they have to be break-away.  If someone hits it you might have liability issues, hate to see you get sued.
Reply:Yeah, I was thinking about that. That's one reason why I don't want to use concrete. I checked the website for my town and there is no "break-away" code. Just a code on height and location of the mailbox. I live on a short culdesac and I don't think anyone would be able to build up enough speed fast enough to do any damage to themselves. I don't get the break-away thing anyway. They design the lightposts to fall down, but they plant trees that are 12" in diameter right next to them. Those trees aren't going to budge if anyone hits them.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Umbrella Coverage.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:There is a guy that built a mailbox that lives close by me.  He lives on a corner lot and the snow plow would whack it 2-3 times every winter.He finally made a mailbox out of SS I am guessing 10 guage, really thick stuff.  Anyhow, he just welded the post to a sheet of SS about 3' x 3' and set it on the ground and lightly covered it with dirt to make it look permanent.  Whenever it gets hit he just goes out and straightened it.MikeComputer nerd with a background in woodworkingMy Site  No Metal working stuff there yet.
Reply:if you have a snow plow problem you can plant the post into an old 5gal milk jug, then just set it out. if the plow hits it ofblasts it with a drift its just a question of putting it back in the morning. thats the way mine is done.you can alsp plant the post ferther back and then have it bend out to the road to get the box close to the road but keep the pole clear of the plow (see pic.)just wondering why you dont want to use concreat ???if its about it not looking good you could always just add it to the verry bottom. o have done that befor just dig in 3ft fill the 1st 1/2 with concreat then dirt the rest. grass will regrow over and no one can tell its concreated.the wings also realy work well. adds a lot of serfese tention to the post. you could even put them on to resist the wind push.did any one say OK lets see some pic's. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:I also used 4" square tubing and augered a 4' deep hole with the post hole digger on my farm tractor.  I wanted it to be sturdy but not impossible to move.  My solution of the wings & fins suggestion was to wrap a bunch of expanded metal odds & ends around the in-ground section of the post, and tack welded them wherever I could.  I guess it probably doubled the diameter but left voids where the fill dirt tamped in to anchor it in place.  3 years--so far, so good.Last edited by 69 chevy; 06-11-2007 at 11:37 AM.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:I have been wanting to make unique mailbox but haven't come up with one. There is this dude on the way home from work that has a hotdog cooker type (6foot tall) and the mailbox is where the "junk" goes. It has a skull on it. Cool but I don't want to rip off someone so close.MmmmmmmmmmmmBeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrGooooooooooo  oodddd!!!!
Reply:feel free to rip off one of these. Attached Images summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:This is a 3"pipe that I burried about 2 and a half feet deep. It has taken lots of shots, had cows scratch on it and we have some big eagles and buzzards who sit on it and use it as a toilet. Its nothing but a post hole and packed moist soil Attached Images
Reply:that looks more like a target then a mail box.   i got one of them in the back yard too.the only warning theves get. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Originally Posted by petersenj20I have been wanting to make unique mailbox but haven't come up with one. There is this dude on the way home from work that has a hotdog cooker type (6foot tall) and the mailbox is where the "junk" goes. It has a skull on it. Cool but I don't want to rip off someone so close.
Reply:making it uneak is simple if its important. just decide on a theam and ask for some help. i dont know what type you are looking for but i could send you some plans for the truck one's i made or even a simple flower pattern to addd a vine and flower look. i been thinking of making some poles with a few flowers growing on it that people could add there own box to. might sell at a nersery if i can get one of them to carie it for me.just come up with an idea and the guys on here will help you figure out how to make it happen. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:HELLO TO ALL,my mailbox, and post have been hit many times.i had to replace the box last time, but the post isblack iron pipe, and i just straightened it, with apress. i would think putting a post in concrete mightcause problems if you had to replace it. mine is driven in the ground.  some people get their kicks out ofvandalizing mailboxes, and they don't know this is avery serious crime.wlbrownEven though you put the post in concrete does not mean you cant move it or pull it up if it gets hit. I build privacy fences everyday and pull up post that have been in concrete for 25 years. I simply use a highlift jack and a chain, or a front end loader on huge jobs. Pulling a wooden 4x4 post out of the ground is a different story though. They ussualy just break close to the bottum once you start pulling them up. But if that was your concern about concreting a post, I would concrete it and never look back, I guess until someone nudges it, haha. Thats just my 2 cents, I think it will suit you just fine concrete or no concrete. NickNick
Reply:Mine is similer to Stuckwldr's but with a mail box on it ,the top swings around if its hit by grader or snow plow (it happens lots).Let us know what you come up with.Miller Big 40Lincoln SP 125Millermatic 180Century 20/50 plasmaHe who dieswith the most toys ...Still DiesThere is room for all Gods creatures .......... Right next to my mashed potatoes