Indestructible Mailbox Build

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Living in the country it is common for mailboxes to get the baseball bat treatment by local teenagers. Well, I have fixed that problem. This project was all stick welded using my Everlast Powerarc 200ST inverter welder. This thing welds like a dream. The only complaint I have is that the amp reading is way off (for example I'm running 75-80 amps for 1/8" 7018 rods). I contacted the company about this and they said it is due to the "adaptive arc force" of the welder. I call BS on that one, but whatever. I've learned to allow for it (make it about 65% of what it should be). Enough about the welder, check out the indestructible mailboxes. Welded up with 7018 rods. Attached ImagesLincoln Ranger 305gMiller X-Treme 8VS Suitcase FeederLincoln Powermig 210 MPLincoln AC225 TombstoneAmico MMA-160Titanium Easy Flux 125A pile of grinders.
Reply:By the way, you will see a bit of undercut on the address shield on the top. I was a bit hot. Since I took this picture, I went back over it with a 5/32" rod and made it all better.Lincoln Ranger 305gMiller X-Treme 8VS Suitcase FeederLincoln Powermig 210 MPLincoln AC225 TombstoneAmico MMA-160Titanium Easy Flux 125A pile of grinders.
Reply:Could you get an amp meter and hook it up to the terminals to get a real reading?Nice mail box.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I hope this is not a problem, but It is my understanding that the postal service does not have to deliver to a box that is not postmaster approved, to get around that requirement many put there post master approve box,  in a heavy pipe and mount a flag on the pipe, http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us/module...documentid=354see number 4.http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/d041.htm  see 2.1 and 2.2
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopCould you get an amp meter and hook it up to the terminals to get a real reading?Nice mail box.
Reply:Originally Posted by FarmerboyI hope this is not a problem, but It is my understanding that the postal service does not have to deliver to a box that is not postmaster approved, to get around that requirement many put there post master approve box,  in a heavy pipe and mount a flag on the pipe, http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us/module...documentid=354see number 4.http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/d041.htm  see 2.1 and 2.2
Reply:Project all complete. I built two mailboxes and two paper boxes. These match the two already in place. We are all family here so now we have to take the engine-drive to the end of the driveway and air-arc the old ones off and rearrange for the new ones. Then the new ones will be welded in place. Waiting on a warmer day to do that. Attached ImagesLincoln Ranger 305gMiller X-Treme 8VS Suitcase FeederLincoln Powermig 210 MPLincoln AC225 TombstoneAmico MMA-160Titanium Easy Flux 125A pile of grinders.
Reply:Very nice work.  How did you form all the radius bends on the housings?  They look very even.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:6 or 8" square tubing ....I bet
Reply:Originally Posted by DougAustinTXVery nice work.  How did you form all the radius bends on the housings?  They look very even.
Reply:Nice man. I'm a country boy to and those mail boxes get hammered sometimes. You might get a guy testing out his slugs or high powered rifle on it tho lol.
Reply:Don't think the handle will hold, I would have made it thickerNice work, Jeff
Reply:They ought to rattle a bat right well.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Hopefully with a bit of luck it will be the bat that gets smashed next time
Reply:^^^^  What I meant.30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:That  will hold up to a bat swing. Might need a return helper spring on the door.
Reply:What did you use as a catch to hold the door closed?It may be tough, but I would not claim it to be "indestructible". A stick of dynamite would prove that pretty easily. But barring something like that, it should hold up well to any assault from local teenage pranksters, out to vandalize others property. Be sure to paint it inside and out so it will hold up to the weather for years to come. Post up a few pix when you get them installed.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mark_DI did confirm it with an ammeter. That's why I'm calling BS on their reason. Other than the readout, it truly is a great welder. No one should ever buy a transformer based machine when they can get an inverter.
Reply:Building a paranoia mailbox is a sure sign of old age lolLast edited by MikeGyver; 12-31-2014 at 09:19 AM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:I would of bought one of the big plastic boxes, then filled it with quickcrete.I tell you what, those kids in my senior class were not expecting that. Broke the one guys wrist, and shattered the back window of his buddy's S-10. No one wanted to say what happened. They tried to get mad at me, worked for 10 seconds.Nice box, btw. Spray it up and make it stand the test of time
Reply:Originally Posted by Mark_D No one should ever buy a transformer based machine when they can get an inverter.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mark_DLiving in the country it is common for mailboxes to get the baseball bat treatment by local teenagers. Well, I have fixed that problem. This project was all stick welded using my Everlast Powerarc 200ST inverter welder. This thing welds like a dream. The only complaint I have is that the amp reading is way off (for example I'm running 75-80 amps for 1/8" 7018 rods). I contacted the company about this and they said it is due to the "adaptive arc force" of the welder. I call BS on that one, but whatever. I've learned to allow for it (make it about 65% of what it should be). Enough about the welder, check out the indestructible mailboxes. Welded up with 7018 rods.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauWhat did you use as a catch to hold the door closed?It may be tough, but I would not claim it to be "indestructible". A stick of dynamite would prove that pretty easily. But barring something like that, it should hold up well to any assault from local teenage pranksters, out to vandalize others property. Be sure to paint it inside and out so it will hold up to the weather for years to come. Post up a few pix when you get them installed.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveBah humbug Best part of owning a 900 lb welder is everyone has to load their busted crap up and bring it to my fully equipped shop - and then they leave it and go away so I can work in peace The reverse is I have to load as much stuff as I think I'll need, then drive to them - then listen to them complain the whole time
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Dave i charge from the time i start to the time i leave ...so i make money for chipping off mud and dirt with the air chisel and prep work ...so if it takes 2-3 hrs to clean it just so i can do the CAG work  ...Tough..I can't CAG dirt and mudGuy i am doing work for now whines because of the bill...i tell him it is not the welding that takes so much time it's getting it ready to be welded...just welding is the easy part most of the timeAs for transformers i still think they take abuse better than inverters ...But inverters are getting better...Maybe someday they will be as bullet proof   I like the mailbox and i just bought sheet steel to make mine but i like your idea better ....much simpler to build so i'm going to borrow your designI don't have the baseball bat problem so far what i do have is drunks hitting my box and post so i'm going to do a little rework on the post and put that box on topNice work.  I need to build a new box this spring.
Reply:I need to do something like you did. Not because it gets hit but we have always had an old box that was here when we bought the place. The next thing the kids will try to do is push it over with their bumper. Make sure you redo the post by welding a "T" on the bottom so when they try to push it over the end of the "T" comes up under the car. (plow share?)
Reply:Originally Posted by HamstnI need to do something like you did. Not because it gets hit but we have always had an old box that was here when we bought the place. The next thing the kids will try to do is push it over with their bumper. Make sure you redo the post by welding a "T" on the bottom so when they try to push it over the end of the "T" comes up under the car. (plow share?)
Reply:Agree 100% with making a vandal proof mailbox,  especially to watch with a bag of popcorn when they whack it and get their hands stung with the vibration.I must mention one thing. Fairly sure there was a litigation case near my house involving a reinforced mailbox that went through a windshield of a car in an accident and the mailbox owner was sued for damages.  Don't know what happenedbut it would be worthwhile to weld it up to a pole that would take the box with it to the ground in case a car hit it.millermatic 130XPharbour freight 180 amp mig with added caps.hobart stickmate ac/dcpowerarc 200
Reply:Oh and yes i have a pa200st and the amp reading is way low of what is actually output. I verified with a DC reading fluke clamp meter.On my board list is to use the clamp meter and a bunch of current settings to build a calibration table.  I don't really mind as the welder is great.  It welds nicer than my stickmate AC/DC and I can carry it around.  Inverters are the future of stick welding.millermatic 130XPharbour freight 180 amp mig with added caps.hobart stickmate ac/dcpowerarc 200
Reply:There is one point of consideration. CAC/G is transformer territory. Wes was saying once about the mosfets in an inverter being questionable under that heavy switching. Nothing laughs at heavy work like the 900 pound gorillas!!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveBah humbug Best part of owning a 900 lb welder is everyone has to load their busted crap up and bring it to my fully equipped shop - and then they leave it and go away so I can work in peace The reverse is I have to load as much stuff as I think I'll need, then drive to them - then listen to them complain the whole time
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverThere is one point of consideration. CAC/G is transformer territory. Wes was saying once about the mosfets in an inverter being questionable under that heavy switching. Nothing laughs at heavy work like the 900 pound gorillas!!
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveSaw this today...
Reply:Nice!  i made one out of 3/8' plate for a house I built and lived in. I wanted to mount it on a big coil spring but settled for a 3" pipe. When I was bored i'd shoot it with my .22.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:That pistol you carry would even bounce off 3/8ths
Reply:Originally Posted by FarmerboyI hope this is not a problem, but It is my understanding that the postal service does not have to deliver to a box that is not postmaster approved, to get around that requirement many put there post master approve box,  in a heavy pipe and mount a flag on the pipe, http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us/module...documentid=354see number 4.http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/d041.htm  see 2.1 and 2.2
Reply:Nice job! I built a mail box like this for my Dad who's mail box was also getting hit a lot although by cars going off the edge of the road. On the 11th hit I took it down because it went under a car and opened up the trans cover on the car. The county came by and widened the berm and warned me about putting the box back up. the inspector from the county told me about another guy in the area who put up a masonry structure around his mailbox and again did some damage to a car that whacked it. Seems backwards the person that does the damage is the poor victim!
Reply:In the country by me people will set a pole in the ground about 10-20' off the road side and then use a "crane" or pole out to the mailbox which can swing out of the way if hit by a snow plow or car or bat.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:id come by with a torch
Reply:That thing is awesome!  Looks good!
Reply:One of my friends was getting his mailbox hit by pranksters a lot in southern NH, he works for a structural steel company, so sure as **** he sunk a 5x5x3/8 post in a 2' sonotube full of cement and rebar, and then mounted a beefy *** mailbox similar to the one OP posted..what do you know, the next week a guy comes plowing through it around 50mph, piss drunk. Sheared most of the car in 2, more towards the passenger side. luckily the guy wasnt hurt, but the mailbox was A OK hahaMiller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseThat idea with the "T" is great.  Hopefully they would hit it at a pretty good clip to try to get away quickly and impale their car/truck.In our neighborhood (in the country), some idiots bashed over a hundred in a couple of weeks time.  Some were run over....hello "T"
Reply:My wife's brother has a distinctive voice, as does his former roommate. He went through a rebellious period. Years ago, early in our relationship I was leaving late one night when I heard a squealing of tires. At the other end of a very long driveway I heard the loud voices, then the sound of a huge Mercury squealing away,  then a big explosion. The mailbox was inside out, 100 feet away, neither end was ever found, the plate (1/4") it sat on was cupped around the post. That was 35 years ago, to this day he won't admit it. I know those two voices, 20' long Mercurys were not that common even then, most of those had exhaust systems.
Reply:Just get rid of the mailbox, all the problems solved and even will save you some money on bills that won't come any more.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Unfortunately in rural areas privately owned mailboxes are installed on public property. This gives lawyers extra fuel for lawsuits.
Reply:Originally Posted by triptesterUnfortunately in rural areas privately owned mailboxes are installed on public property. This gives lawyers extra fuel for lawsuits.
Reply:a local farmer "accidentally" ran my cement mail box over with his tandem disk.......destroyed it big time......
Reply:Originally Posted by triptesterUnfortunately in rural areas privately owned mailboxes are installed on public property. This gives lawyers extra fuel for lawsuits.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauWhat most people  including law enforcement officers don't seem to understand, is that when a mailbox is installed next to a roadway for mail delivery, it is NO LONGER PERSONAL PROPERTY. It is now U.S. Govt. property, belonging to the U.S Postal Service. When it is intentionally vandalized, then charges of destruction of Government property can be applied. These carry much more severe consequences than destruction of personal property. If this were to be brought to the attention of the responding LEOs when mailboxes are damaged, and they were to check into it to confirm it, then the culprits could be so charged with it when caught. But sadly most LEOs are ignorant of this fact, and only write it up as simple vandalism, and the perpetrator is let off with a slap on the wrist, rather than a more severe penalty. This is the main reason folks like us feel we need to build mail receptacles  like this to prevent/reduce mailbox damages from punks who get off on doing damage to them. These people should end up in FEDERAL COURT for these charges, not local county/city courts.