New Mailbox Post in the Works...

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My neighbor wants to replace his mailbox that is in my front yard next to my ugly plastic piece of junk.  So I figured now is the time to replace the 2 post's with a nice new single post.  So this is what I have come up with for a design and my neighbor likes it as well.  The design is a Craftsman / Mission / Arts and Crafts Style.  I have access to Autodesk Inventor so I figured I would give it a try...What a pain to learn...But I made it work.  Please let me know what you think.  Pictures will be posted when I start working on it, for your approval, of course. Attached ImagesMiller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:Well I finally started on my mailbox post the other day.  I am certainly not a great fabricator, nor am I very quick and efficient, but I do what I can.  Its not done yet, but I have made decent progress. Attached ImagesMiller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:nice design, nice works. Well thought out!
Reply:how tall will you have to be to use it?Adam MMorales Ranch
Reply:I suppose about 10 foot or so...    Actually it will be ~42" from ground to top of post.  I believe that is the correct height.  Hopefully nothing is said about the post, as it is far more rigid than the post office wants. Oh wellMiller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:Originally Posted by ItsAdam1how tall will you have to be to use it?
Reply:Nice designed post.... A bit taller and you could use it for "Air Mail"Looks like you did a good job building it...heavy sucker ain't it?
Reply:Originally Posted by mudbugoneheavy sucker ain't it?
Reply:Well damn, it only took 2 years and 3 months but the bloody mailbox project is finished!  I decided to split the post into two parts, add flanges and use shear bolts.  It is set into 3' of concrete. Attached ImagesMiller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:....that is a fine, professional looking job you have done there!!  Looks very solid.  Hope you live in a "decent" neighborhood though.  I work with a guy who came to me a few months back and asked me to build him a mailbox that was "reinforced".  He said that his mailbox (and about 12 others on the road he lives on) got smashed for the fifth time!!!!  I made him one with a cage around the box.  So hopefully some punk with a piece of pipe won't take his frustrations out on your work of art!!!  Nice job.
Reply:Originally Posted by bartels_metal_worksI suppose about 10 foot or so...    Actually it will be ~42" from ground to top of post.  I believe that is the correct height.  Hopefully nothing is said about the post, as it is far more rigid than the post office wants. Oh well
Reply:You could be liable for damages beyond what a wood four by four would cause if someone hits it.
Reply:Originally Posted by RbeckettI built one kind of similar.  The post man kept hitting the post and knocking the box off of the top.  I fabbed up a nice little plazma cut scene and put it between two 1/2 square solid pickets and put a 14 Guage top plate on it to bolt the box too.  I made sure the two edges that faced either way were shaped like a can opener and very sharp so if he hit it again it would open his car up like a can of beans.  He got the hint...Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by TIGguyYou could be liable for damages beyond what a wood four by four would cause if someone hits it.
Reply:Originally Posted by LightsOh well, but the dumbass who hits this mailbox will be more careful next time. Sometimes it takes a big event for a dumbass to learn their lesson
Reply:I believe the shear bolts will work.  Just two 5/16-18 shear bolts from an MTD snow blower's auger.  I figure if people around my town can have massive brick mailbox monuments, I should be fine with 2 shear bolts on a steel post...  Anyways, if they are coming from the west, they will likely hit the power pole just after impacting my mailbox.  From the east and they will likely hit the power pole before getting to my mailbox.Miller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:Well, a guy can't just rush into things.  Sometimes these projects need a little ponderin'...  Nice job!(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:I may have taken a while to finish, but it was well worth it. Nice project !
Reply:Originally Posted by bartels_metal_works...nor am I very quick and efficient
Reply:Not quick at all, but was forced to speed up when I found the old post laying on the ground the other day.  My neighbor liked it a lot and actually gave me a check for $100, he insisted even when I told him it was not necessary.  I guess it was a success!Miller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:Originally Posted by BUZZMAN4177....that is a fine, professional looking job you have done there!!  Looks very solid.  Hope you live in a "decent" neighborhood though.  I work with a guy who came to me a few months back and asked me to build him a mailbox that was "reinforced".  He said that his mailbox (and about 12 others on the road he lives on) got smashed for the fifth time!!!!  I made him one with a cage around the box.  So hopefully some punk with a piece of pipe won't take his frustrations out on your work of art!!!  Nice job.
Reply:Nice job on the mail box, and anchoring. Thanks for sharing.
Reply:Thanks for all the comments, I appreciate the feedback.  Hopefully my next project doesn't take so long...Miller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:Nice job on your mail box. I really like the shear bolts. Rob
Reply:Follow up:Shear bolts from an auger don't work well for a mailbox post...  The threads on the front bolt striped off and the back bolt just bent.  Neither bolt sheared or broke, but I am glad I split the post and made a weak point to fail instead of more substantial damage.  It appears my neighbor, or their visitors, backed into the post.  I bet they pay more attention next time!Miller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...Wow.  Not very often we get a project update over two years after the fact.   Nice job.You might consider the way road signs are here in Texas and likely other states as well.  They are two piece like your mailbox post but the bolts go thru open ended slots in both flanges so they can slide out (rather than shear/break) of the slots if the post is struck.  Obviously the bolts - although tightened - don't get reefed down so they can allow the flanges to slide apart.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Wow.  Not very often we get a project update over two years after the fact.   Nice job.You might consider the way road signs are here in Texas and likely other states as well.  They are two piece like your mailbox post but the bolts go thru open ended slots in both flanges so they can slide out (rather than shear/break) of the slots if the post is struck.  Obviously the bolts - although tightened - don't get reefed down so they can allow the flanges to slide apart.
Reply:bmw; great job of design and build. i especially like the post with the inset panel. idk what it is about a mailbox that attracts vehicles and vandals of all stripes?i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Thanks for the update. You maybe a slow fabricator, but you do good work. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkQualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Nice project, I like the simple yet elegant design!"All of this and some of that's the only way to skin the cat!"
Reply:I hope you just inspired me to finish mine...I have some 3.5" square tubing 1/4" wall that will be the upright.  Your design has definitely made me decide to do it 2 piece.Thanks for the update!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Wow.  Not very often we get a project update over two years after the fact.   Nice job.You might consider the way road signs are here in Texas and likely other states as well.  They are two piece like your mailbox post but the bolts go thru open ended slots in both flanges so they can slide out (rather than shear/break) of the slots if the post is struck.  Obviously the bolts - although tightened - don't get reefed down so they can allow the flanges to slide apart.