First Project

Mailbox

OK so we have been without a mailbox on our house since last April when we took off all the old siding from the house and started residing.  I spent many different directions of thoughts as far as what type of mailbox I wanted to do and it really bounced around for a long time but I think I have a clear direction now.  The one true thing is we do not want the mailbox the way it is now.

This is what stands now.

We want something back on the house so I have a few options I have been looking at for inspiration.  I am not planning on matching any of them but really just drawing from the existing ones to get my idea machine rolling. When the project is finished we will see if it shows any resemblance to these at all.

These are the mailboxes I drew inspiration from.

So I am trying to complete this project by just using scraps of wood and supplies around the house and in the shed.  I think I will be pretty close to being able to do this.  I may need to supplement some of the trim for the box but we will see.  Obviously I will need to pick up hinges for the top door because I don't have random hinges laying around.  I am hoping to try and match the look of the house somewhat but my one fear is that it will blend in too much, but only one way to find out.

OK so I started this project by finding scraps in the shed and pulling them out and cutting the rough outline.  Was simple enough once I found the pieces of wood I thought would fit my needs.  I had to pick up a hinge and trim for the box, so all in all I am in for $9 for materials and another $13 for paint because the last gallon left over from our house project died over the winter.  But once I got going the project went fairly smooth.

First steps of construction, pieces, then attached, and trim added.

This was the initial construction.  I used basic 1 by lumber for the body of the box.  I cut out a front and a back, and then the sides with a random angle along the top edge.  Then I cut the bottom and started screwing it all together with some left over drywall screws.  Then used some larger finish nails to shore up the construction getting it a little more firm.  Then I used the trim I picked up at the depot, 1/2" by 1 1/2" to try and similarly match the cut of the house.  I think it actually worked out well. I was struggling a bit finding the right width and girth for the trim, wanted to make sure it was not too big or to small for the siding that was to be added.

The addition of siding, trim painted, then top door hinged and attached.

The siding went on fairly easily.  I did cut it down to 3" tall.  If I was to keep it as the original height it would have looked funny, taking up way too much space the space that was available.  But I liked how it came out shortening it.  the angled top pieces on the sides were a little tough but I used scraps and tested the angles before cutting the siding, but I am glad I did because the same angle I cut the trim was slightly off, but that's why we measure twice and cut once.  I tend to like to test cut three to four time, then final cut once.

The top was a little tougher for me to figure out.  But after one, the two, and on the third try I got it with something that would work for me.  But the hinge that I used made it a little more difficult.  I used a door hinge when I should have used with no reveal so the top would open easier.  But the way it turned out it leaves some space on the sides around the top and around the rear of the top. But it works.

This is the final product, paint to match the house, now all that is left is to put it up.

All that was left was to paint it up.  That went pretty much without a hitch.  It took longer than I thought it would to take because I had to pause to watch the world cup final in the middle of it.  But I was still able to finish even if I had to bring it in and finish on the table once dark outside.

So that's that, project number 1 is a success if I do say so myself.  So this one is a officially a DIY, I did not let it get the best of me.  Tomorrow I will officially put it up on the house and it will be the true finish.  Well now that I have completed a project I think I am able to share this.  I will not be posting everyday but I hope to keep at least a regular presence on here, to keep me motivated for more and more projects.  Maybe it will help others as well.