Mail Box #1 - Good - Bad - Ugly

[smiley]

Up here we are limited as to what type of posts we can use. steel t-posts are ok and wood no bigger then a 4x4 is ok. Anything larger and the DOT will send you a letter when they notice it. Their fear is if a car hits it they want the car to not sustain serious damage possibly injuring the driver or passenger so the t-post will fold under the car and the 4x4 will shear and should go forward and under.

We were giving a letter as our mail box sits on a 8" locust post. The post has been there since before 1987 when we moved here but this last summer when they resurfaced the road again the DOT finally noticed it and sent a letter telling us to change it. The DOT official we called about it told us to not worry about it since he knows that post is most likely rotted away at ground level to the point its no bigger then a 4x4 anyway since its probably 30-40 years old. But if it was steel we would have had to change it for sure

Generally NY considers anything over the small steel post or 4x4 a DFO, Deadly Fixed Object, so any time we have to replace mailboxes on road jobs, we have to use the 4 x4's and unofficially tell the homeowner that once we leave, we don't care what they do with it.
Of course as someone else mentioned, I'd think all those trees and utility poles etc might just qualify as DFO's also.

 

[brokenknee]

Generally NY considers anything over the small steel post or 4x4 a DFO, Deadly Fixed Object, so any time we have to replace mailboxes on road jobs, we have to use the 4 x4's and unofficially tell the homeowner that once we leave, we don't care what they do with it.
Of course as someone else mentioned, I'd think all those trees and utility poles etc might just qualify as DFO's also.

Only problem with that is the lawyers when someone gets hurt.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Generally NY considers anything over the small steel post or 4x4 a DFO, Deadly Fixed Object, so any time we have to replace mailboxes on road jobs, we have to use the 4 x4's and unofficially tell the homeowner that once we leave, we don't care what they do with it.
Of course as someone else mentioned, I'd think all those trees and utility poles etc might just qualify as DFO's also.

I think the way the DOT looks at it is like this, the trees are there naturally. The utility poles are needed and around here are furthur off the road then the mail boxes. The mail boxes don't need a concrete/brick foundation, large heavy steel pipe or a 12" oak post. Why add more DFO's then actually needed as mailboxes don't weigh much and don't hold much weight.

I really don't care, I only mentioned it in this thread because of the letter the DOT sent us as I figured it might be of interest to others who may not have known or realized that (at least our states) DOT actually looks at these sorts of things.

 

[creekbend]

In my County, no wooden post larger than 4x4 and most definitely no concrete allowed in the base.

 

[smiley]

I think the way the DOT looks at it is like this, the trees are there naturally. The utility poles are needed and around here are furthur off the road then the mail boxes. .

It's funny that you mention trees as natural objects. They can also be "Historical Objects" We rebuilt a road in front of an old grist mill that had many large maple trees in front. We had to fence them in with orange fencing and have signs made, "Historic Objects do not disturb/enter" etc, etc under penalty of law" The funny part was that the 3 or 4 trees that were part of the same group, but were in the way of the new sidewalks weren't considered historic --- cut em down---

There I go off subject again but crash325, that is a nice box, they just wouldn't let you have it here.
Smiley

 

[crash325]

I looked at some of the Locking & Security mail boxes advertised on this link.

Prices are out of sight high. And most of them would not even stand up to the kids waiting for the school buss.

Sent some mail to the box today. See if it works.

Should I build another it will say "US Postmaster Approved", stamped in. :laughing:

 

[pat32rf]

BIL near Peterborough mounted his mailbox on a chunk of 1/2" wall 4" pipe full of and embedded in concrete. Five years later the township wing plow caught it. Would have been a disaster if there had been oncoming traffic as the rear end of the truck wound up well over in the other lane (according to the skid marks) before the truck drove into the ditch...

 

[dwilliams35]

Our DOT requires their own poles: it's really just a piece of 2" tubing, you go drop off the mailbox at their office and within a few days it's put in the ground, reflective tape wrapped around the post, concreted in.. you can specify which side of the drive, but not which side of the road: you have to have all the mailboxes on one side of the road so the carrier doesn't have to make two trips down the road.

As far as the welded-steel mailboxes, a few years back there was some kids playing mailbox baseball out of the back of a truck near here, bat hit one of those heavy ones and bounced back and pretty severely injured one of the kids in the truck: they won the lawsuit and everything.

 

[mjncad]

From a Posties point of view I wouldn't be too happy about that flap over the opening. Means the postie has to use two hands. one to grab that bolt and lift up that flap and the other to put the mail in. To do that he has to lean forward/sideways and get his head and shoulders half out the window.

Still I suppose it's better than the boxes which have the flap opening inwards. On those when you push the mail in and withdraw your hand the flap closes down and traps your fingers. the harder you pull back the harder it clamps down on your fingers.

Don't ask me how I know.

From a USPS customer point of view; I'm tired of contract carriers driving their own personal vehicles from the passenger's seat to deliver mail. I saw one dam fool driving his Ram 1500 at 60MPH from the passenger seat delivering the mail along that high speed state highway. We did have one rural carrier that obtained a right hand drive Subaru. She was the best carrier we had; but lost her route due to union seniority rules.

Only problem with that is the lawyers when someone gets hurt.

The only good lawyer is a disbarred lawyer.

Right. That's why I made mine a mailbox holder:

JayC

Does that dragon head shoot flames out of its mouth? It should if it doesn't! :thumbsup:

 

[GGB]

Only problem with that is the lawyers when someone gets hurt.

I'll respectfully offer another point of view-what I see as the problem is not simply the trial lawyers, but some of the juries of our "peers" who set the awards in these cases. See my byline!

Trial lawyers wouldn't represent absurd cases if they didn't have a reasonable expectation of a favorable payday. Most of us wouldn't go to work if we didn't think we'd be compensated for our labor either. To solely blame the plaintiff lawyers in frivolous lawsuits is missing the real issue in my opinion. I see the problem is a lack of common sense on juries, or the fact that we all have not forced our representative government to prohibit lawsuits brought by vandals and criminals for injuries which occurred in the commission of a criminal act.

From what I understand in some other countries, if a plaintiff loses their case, they are required to pay the defendant's legal fees. Apparently that dramatically reduces the number of frivolous lawsuits.

And no, I'm not an attorney, nor is any of my family.

 

[jinman]

Crash, I love your mailbox, but your delivery person may have a problem delivering small packages like medicines and small boxes. You slot won't allow a very big package. Even FedEx is using the post office more and more for small deliveries here. I have the standard sized box and have been considering going to one of the larger boxes because it would make it easier on my delivery person. She is extremely good about bringing packages down to our house for delivery (about 500' driveway), but I could save her some trips with a larger mailbox and bigger door. I have never had any problem with losing my mail or my mailbox being damaged in over 10 years, so I'm probably a little less cautious than you. If your opening was as big as your collection door, it would improve the value of your box in my opinion.

 

[crash325]

Here are a few pictures of the "Mail Box Row". As you can see there are many "fine" boxes there and all "well mounted' :laughing: Only about 1/3 are smashed, have bullet holes, or are falling over. :laughing: Quite a few have a delivery slot that looks like it was cut with a can opener. Sharp edges & the flap folded out.

My delivery slot is just large enough to accept something the size of a CD. I don't get packages or medicine. Or much of anything for that matter. Once in a while I get a check and if it fits through the slot and stays there I am a happy camper. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Were I building a box for someone else, It would be built to accommodate their needs.

I do plan to engrave a address block out of aluminum and bolt it on securely. Once my paper addresses are discovered, someone will peal them off.

 

[Ken]

Jim maybe be a good public relations person for the mail carrier. consider with your skill in making usuable stuff. maybe a wagon type wheel with all the boxes attached so carrier only needs to stop once and spin until yours shows up.
From the number maybe under hung and over the top placed.
Looks like the carrier must sit there 15 min. or more placing mail in proper slot.
Does the new person on the block get the first or last mail box? Looks like one druck driver could take out the whole row.

Need some sun shine have any extra.
ken

 

[bullbreaker]

Here are a few pictures of the "Mail Box Row".
I do plan to engrave a address block out of aluminum and bolt it on securely. Once my paper addresses are discovered, someone will peal them off.

Jim I just came up with a brilliant idea !

Why don't all the neighbors in "THE ***-ociation" get together have you make a much larger version of your new mailbox. Have the mailman stick it all in one (your) box,and they could come over for instance every SAT (10 AM) and have you hand out everbodys mail through a hole in your gate. :thumbsup:
Providing its legally approved by postmaster general. :laughing:

Boone

 

[Robert_in_NY]

What is this area you live in? I have seen in trailer parks around here where everyone gets their mail at one location they set up a large box thats all keyed like a P.O.Box. It has all the mail boxes in one unit thats stacked up. Of course I don't know if it will work in your situation since the trailer parks I mentioned are owned by one person/company that does this to help the park look better from the road. But who knows, it might be of use to you or someone in the future.

 

[tglass]

It was time to put up a mail box. Where the mail is delivered to is near the hwy. Kids catch school bus and then there are the "normal" vandal's".

Wanted it fairly strong and weather resistant. This was the first Mail Box that I have ever built. Even before it was done some minor improvements were figured out, but too late to change the design. Not shown in the pictures is a expanded metal screen that goes inside, should some rain get in, it holds the mail about 3/8" off the bottom of the box.

Most of the cutting, fitting & welding went pretty well. Spent more time finding or looking for tools than actual building. Some of the tools I had just used, laid down and they went into hiding. The pivot pins were zinc coated, even with a lot of sanding & grinding, they still gassed out in places.

Pictures tell the building better than me writing about it.

Really Dumb mistakes! Most of them came when installing the box. Thinking it was going into soft dirt. Did not point the end of the pipe going into the ground. Put on some good sized wings so it would not turn and 2 pieces of re-bar so it would be hard to pull out. (Forgot to take a picture.) Box to pipe was a very tight fit, with tight holes, a few thousands under size. Another bad idea, Took my light post driver and sort of an after though took the heavy one, 60 /70#. It was not heavy enough, over an hour driving the post. All that pounding partly closed the top mounting holes and flared the pipe out. Did not take a drill, drift or file with me. Another hour pounding the flair out, driving in the mounting bolts. The box must be close to 40 /50#, holding it with one hand while driving in the bolts was a lot more "Fun" than I really wanted. So in only about 2 hours a 1/2 hour job was completed. Naturally the bolt thread were destroyed, so in a day or 3 they will get hammered out, holes reamed and new bolts installed.

Should you need advice on how "Not" to do things, just let me know. Be Glad to "Help",:drink:

Pretty heavily built. Years ago I saw people who had a door on the backside to remove mail against traffic and even a little green flag that came up when someone (the mail carrier opened the box) so you didn't have to check it if the mailman had not come. Anyone else see these now days?

 

[bullbreaker]

What is this area you live in? I have seen in trailer parks around here where everyone gets their mail at one location they set up a large box thats all keyed like a P.O.Box. It has all the mail boxes in one unit thats stacked up. Of course I don't know if it will work in your situation since the trailer parks I mentioned are owned by one person/company that does this to help the park look better from the road. But who knows, it might be of use to you or someone in the future.

Round here in town (Naples,Fl) many of the condos/apartments/office/busineses have that same set up.

Boone

 

[smiley]

Pretty heavily built. Years ago I saw people who had a door on the backside to remove mail against traffic and even a little green flag that came up when someone (the mail carrier opened the box) so you didn't have to check it if the mailman had not come. Anyone else see these now days?

Years ago 3 families lived on a dead end dirt road near me, on top of a steep hill that was closed when it iced up or snow got too deep. They usually parked a car at the bottom and took a tractor down if someone had to get out. One even had a garage down there. Their mail was delivered at the bottom of the hill on a different parallel road, in boxes attached sideways, to a cable set up like a clothes line trolley at least 300 ft long. They had handwheels at the top and would crank the boxes up. To avoid cranking it up if there was no mail, they just had small spring loaded rods with a flag on the end that was released when the mailman (or little p-pots) opened it and then would reset the flag before sending the box back down.
They finally got regular service in the early 60's when the steep grade was flattened and road paved.

 

[mjncad]

It has all the mail boxes in one unit thats stacked up.

Officially they are called "Cluster Mailboxes" and that's all the USPS installs in new housing developments here. I call them "Gang Bang Mailboxes."

Here are a few pictures of the "Mail Box Row". As you can see there are many "fine" boxes there and all "well mounted' :laughing:

Looks like the Afghan army.

 

[ovrszd]

BIL near Peterborough mounted his mailbox on a chunk of 1/2" wall 4" pipe full of and embedded in concrete. Five years later the township wing plow caught it. Would have been a disaster if there had been oncoming traffic as the rear end of the truck wound up well over in the other lane (according to the skid marks) before the truck drove into the ditch...

I used to have a wooden mail box post. I lost track of how many times MODOT knocked it down when pushing snow. The last time I stood in the driveway and watched. I had just finished pushing the snow clear back into the ditch at least 100 ft each side of my box. Truck driver lifted his wing when he got to where I'd cleaned, continued down the road without swinging out around my box, knocked it clear up on the snow I had piled.

I decided I'd had enough. When Spring came I sank an 8" 1/4" wall pipe in a hole full of concrete and poured the pipe full. Then built a heavy steel arm for the box to sit on. I stopped by the local MODOT barn and talked to the Supervisor about my new mailbox. Funny thing,,,,, ten years later and they've not hit it once....... Go figure......:thumbsup: