A mailbox is an integral part of any home. How to make your own mailbox, unique in design and having a notification function about the arrival of mail, is described in this article.
If you have a house, then you have your own address to which you receive mail - press, letters and other notices. To receive correspondence, you can buy a mailbox at any appropriate store and hang it on the front door. This solution, in addition to being expensive (high-quality mailboxes are quite expensive), is also bad because the ready-made options are faceless and, accordingly, are not able to decorate your home. We will tell you how you can make a unique mailbox with your own hands, which has two undeniable advantages over purchased ones:
- located on the inside of the fence, that is, located on the territory of the personal plot, and having a decorative appearance, it will serve as a decoration for the garden;
- the box is equipped with an autonomous mechanical mail arrival alarm, that is, the box will have a simple, reliable and fail-safe mechanism that is triggered when mail arrives, thereby informing the owner that the mail has arrived.
In the end, such a mailbox will cost you less than a purchased one, and you can make it yourself in one day.
So let's get started.
Tools and materials
To make a mailbox house we will need:
- Circular saw or hand saw.
- Drill or screwdriver.
- Tin sheet or any other sheet material. A cut tin can will do just fine.
- Lumber trims.
- Wooden skewers. We will use them as dowels.
Manufacturing instructions
1. We start by making the base platform. To do this, we use a rectangular piece of plywood 20 mm thick. We cut out a rectangle according to the dimensions indicated in the photo, sand it with sandpaper and cover it with primer.
2. We cover the edges with decorative coverings.
4. After painting the platform to the bottom, using self-tapping screws, we fix the stand and the slope, which are made of a profile pipe.
5. We fix the platform at the place where the mailbox is installed.
6. We make a damper on the outside of the fence. We cut a vertical hole in the corrugated sheet of the fence. From a metal plate 1.5 mm thick we make coverings for the gap and the damper itself. We fix the damper using a self-tapping screw in its upper part to the coverings on the crack. The flap moves to the left or right, thereby opening the entrance to the slot through which mail enters.
7. Let's start manufacturing the mailbox parts.
8. Assembling the frame. We additionally secure the parts at the gluing points with wooden dowels.
9. We fix the left side wall to the frame and begin to make the signaling device. It consists of two metal plates connected to each other by a metal axis and located in relation to each other in perpendicular planes. We fix the plates to the axle using metal rivets. On the plate that will be located outside the mailbox, we apply a thematic design (postman), use metal scissors to cut along the contour of the design and paint with acrylic paints. The second plate should cover the entrance hole from the inside of the box. Thus, the empty box is made ready by lifting the right plate. When placing mail in the box, the plate falls, raising the left plate with the postman drawn on it. It is its appearance that signals the presence of mail.
10. The signaling device axis is fixed using corner metal hinges to the platform with self-tapping screws.
11. Fix the front wall and insert a thematic drawing into the opening of the future window.
12. We make parts of the window frame. Before installing the frame, we insert glass into the opening.
13. Glue the right side wall. In the center of the wall we make an imitation of a door and decorative cashing from fiberboard. We also make a back wall from fiberboard with a vertical slot into which mail will flow into the mailbox.
14. We decorate the outer corners of the house and the lower part with wooden corners.
15. Let's start making the roof. Glue the roof base frame together.
16. Glue a piece of fiberboard to the bottom part. Next, we glue two pairs of rafters onto the frame. All connections must be additionally secured with dowels.
17. We attach the roof frame to the house using small hinges, since the roof will serve as a mailbox lid.
18. We make the roof gables from fiberboard and glue the ebb on the front side.
19. We attach a rough roof from scraps of boards or clapboard to the rafters.
20. Using small nails, we fix tiles cut from tin onto the rough roof.
21. After fixing the tiles, we make the ridge and wind strips.
22. Making a porch.
23. We install the structure in place. Your unique mailbox is ready.
Evgeny Dubinin, rmnt.ru (based on materials from user Valley)
- 1 Varieties
- 2 Some tips for making
- 3 Manufacturing instructions
- 3.1 Plywood and wood
- 3.2 Cardboard box
- 4 Options for attaching mailboxes
- 5 Videos
- 6 Photos
A private or country house, as well as a dacha, have their own address to which letters, notices and other correspondence will be sent. To prevent it from scattering all over the area and from getting wet from rain or snow, it is best to install a mailbox near the gate. You can buy it at a hardware store, but your own model would be ideal. You can choose any material, dimensions, shape and colors. We will talk about how to make a mailbox with your own hands in this article. Detailed developments and step-by-step instructions will help you realize any idea or project.
Varieties
It is very important that the mailbox is combined with the overall style of the house, as well as the landscape design of the site, and a harmonious picture is obtained. No less important is such a parameter as capacity and choosing the right place for placement. Experts advise first deciding on this question: the future letter box will be used exclusively for its intended purpose or will additionally be a separate decorative element. In the latter case, with its appearance it will attract the attention of passers-by and friends.
With door at the bottom
Now let's look at the main types of mailboxes, which are divided by execution style.
American American boxes are the same in design, but different in design. This allows everyone to choose the best option. All mail is left horizontal, so bulky magazines and newspapers will have to be rolled up. A special difference from other models of boxes is the presence of a special flag. If it is raised, it means there are letters to be sent. Unlike our rules, in America postmen retrieve letters and send them through the mail themselves. An American mailbox should be installed on a separate support made of wood or metal, or a decorative figure.
English
The category of original mailboxes includes projects and finished products that are exclusively extraordinary design solutions. In any of them you can recognize most household items that have gone through transformation. The easiest option is to make a post office for a private home from plastic or lumber. But if you want to make a model from sheets of metal, you will need skills and a welding machine. At the same time, it is the most durable and durable.
Made of metal
Some tips for making
In fact, the upcoming process is quite simple and anyone can make a beautiful mailbox with their own hands if they wish. In order for the result to exceed expectations, you should still adhere to some recommendations.
In the form of a Prostokvashino house
Do you want to always be aware of new emails? You can make a homemade alarm in the box, which will signal that fresh press has arrived. To make it, you only need a sheet of thin plywood, a few wires, a battery, a light bulb and contact plates.
In addition, consider a few tips from designers:
For a small dacha sector, you can choose an original idea: a correspondence box made from improvised materials.
Manufacturing Instructions
Here are some common examples of making mailboxes that any craftsman can implement.
Plywood and wood
Wooden mailbox diagram
To work, first of all, you should collect and purchase all the materials and tools:
- sheet of veneer or thin plywood measuring 65x65 cm;
- sheet of plywood (9 mm) measuring 65x43.5 cm;
- timber (pine) measuring 100×7.5×5 cm;
- stainless steel piano hinge (13 cm);
- sandpaper (fine grain);
- mortise lock;
- screws;
- wood glue;
- colloidal silica;
- two-component epoxy adhesive.
Wooden diagram
The algorithm of actions is simple, so there should be no difficulties in the process.
The finished box is coated with varnish or paint, the house number is set and, after complete drying, it is fixed to the fence.
Cardboard box
Mailbox drawing
An original dollhouse-type mailbox, additionally decorated with lace, will become a bright accent and addition to any exterior of a country house. To make it you will need the following materials and tools:
- modeling cardboard 4 mm thick;
- drawer lock;
- PVA glue;
- paper tape;
- stationery tape.
Assembly
For decoration, special napkins for decoupage and acrylic paints are purchased: white, black and silver.
Decoration
Procedure:
From cardboard
All decorative elements should fit well and harmonize with each other, so you should compare them immediately.
Mailbox mounting options
As already mentioned in the section on types of mailboxes, each type is installed in its own way. If you are undecided, then it is worth considering all installation options. Let's look at an example of several options for fixing simple mailboxes.
Drawer installation Fence. To do this, two cuts are made on the back of the mail. Next, using metal clamps or thick wire, fastening is carried out. It is very important to level the box at this stage.If we are talking about a free-standing mailbox, then securing it will be quite simple: you need a platform, which is crowned with a pole.
Freestanding mailbox
In conclusion, I would like to note that if you have free time, the necessary material and imagination, you can make an original mailbox, the duplicate of which will not be available in the whole world. Such an element will complement the landscape design and will put the finishing touches on the decoration of the fence.
See how to make a house-shaped mailbox:
In the form of a house
With forged parts
With an image
Wooden mailbox covered with stain
Mailbox decoupage
Mailbox decoration
House
Wood
American mailbox
Traditional options for mailboxes are rarely particularly original. Familiar blue metal boxes decorated with a miniature padlock may satisfy the unpretentious taste of their owner, but the eye of a creative owner will certainly see them as a fertile basis for creating an original exterior item. Ideas on how to make a mailbox can be borrowed from your neighbors, whose fences are decorated with original and at the same time functional containers, or you can take as a basis the arrangement options described in our article.
When planning to make a mailbox for a private home, which will serve not only for its intended purpose, but also act as a harmonious addition to the architectural ensemble of a suburban area, you should first of all decide on its shape and size. According to the style of execution, boxes for receiving correspondence can be divided into three main types.
Option #1 – traditional box
The box for receiving correspondence is most often placed near the central entrance to the site, hanging on the wall of the house, gate or fence. An originally designed exterior element will always attract the attention of passers-by and guests.
The mailboxes familiar to many of us, which have become widespread in the post-Soviet territories, are vertically placed boxes with an equipped slot for letters and newspapers
Option #2 - in the English style
The mailbox, made in the form of a cabinet-table, is installed directly on the ground, placing it a few steps before the main entrance.
Functional structures that look like a miniature house are most often made of durable metal or laid out of brick
Option #3 – American-style box
Such boxes are installed on a separate support, which is a metal or wooden rod, or a decorative figure. Boxes are most often equipped with a special flag, which is raised by the owner if there are letters in the box that the postman must pick up and send himself.
The design of boxes for receiving letters and magazines of the American type is of the same type - horizontally placed containers with a semicircular roof and side doors. But their decorative design often amazes the imagination
All kinds of household items can serve as the basis for creating boxes decorated in an unusual design solution.
When planning to make a functional structure with your own hands, every owner wants it to last for more than one season without losing its attractiveness for as long as possible. Therefore, when creating a durable letter box, you should adhere to a number of basic recommendations:
- It is advisable to install a canopy over the slot for lowering correspondence, which will protect the contents of the container from rain and snow.
- The door for removing letters can be placed both on the front panel and in the bottom wall of the structure. With the first arrangement option, it is important to accurately calculate the dimensions of the hole and door in order to prevent the formation of cracks through which moisture will enter. When planning to place the door in the bottom wall, it is better to make this entire part of the box folding.
- When building a wooden box, it is better to fasten all structural elements using corners. This will increase the strength of the structure and greatly facilitate future repairs.
- Do not forget to provide a lock, the installation of which will prevent possible attacks by thieves on correspondence.
Some craftsmen equip their mailboxes with a simple alarm system. It is activated by contact plates, which can be taken from an old magnetic relay or telephone switch.
To equip a mailbox with an alarm system, you need to make an additional bottom in the container, which can be cut out of plywood or plastic, and then placed on springs.
The additional bottom is placed in such a way that the lower edge is attached directly to the box, and the upper edge rests on springs, between which contacts are placed that react to the box being filled with correspondence
As soon as the contacts are closed, a light bulb connected to them by wires, which is already installed in the house, lights up and thereby signals the arrival of new correspondence.
Master class #1: designer cardboard box
A chic mailbox, decorated with elegant lace and looking like a dollhouse, can act as a bright accent in the exterior of a country house.
To make such a cute “house” we will need:
- Cardboard for modeling (4 mm thick);
- Drawer lock;
- PVA construction adhesive (or hot glue with a heat gun);
- Paper tape and a stationery knife.
We will decorate the box using decoupage napkins, as well as acrylic paints in white, black and silver.
We apply the template to a sheet of cardboard, transfer the dimensions of all the design details, and then cut them out with a knife
When making a window, it is important not to cut the cardboard to the end, this will prevent tears. It is advisable to secure the bend points with paper tape.
We glue all the parts of the box using hot glue or construction PVA, leave the box until completely dry
The box is ready, let's start decorating.
To create a visual effect of antiquity, we cover the outer surface of the box with napkins, and then cover it with black and white paint, finishing the corners with a silver tint.
All that remains is to install a miniature lock on the door, stick the selected napkins for decoupage and decorate the roof with lace ribbon
An original designer box, made by yourself, will become a memorable calling card of any suburban area.
Master class #2: plywood mailbox option
In addition to the cardboard version, you can make something stronger. For example a wooden box.
A nice wooden mailbox will fit perfectly into a country landscape: outwardly resembling an impromptu birdhouse, it will become an appropriate addition to the exterior
To make such a mailbox you will need the following materials:
- Pine timber 1000x75x50 mm;
- A piece of plywood 650x435 mm, thickness 9 mm;
- Sheet of thin plywood measuring 650x650 mm;
- Piano hinge 130 mm (stainless steel) and mortise lock.
Tools you will need:
- Jigsaw;
- Glue for woodworking;
- Nails or screws;
- Sandpaper.
We cut the wooden beam crosswise into three parts, each 330 mm long. On each of the cuts we mark the central and transverse lines, maintaining a distance between them of 300 mm. Using a template, we draw a curve along the outlined contours, along which we subsequently cut out a bend. On all three blanks, carefully clean the edges and then glue them together.
From sheets of thin plywood you should get 8 identical blanks measuring 320x160 mm. To prevent gaps in the structure, before gluing the parts, you must first simply attach the elements to each other and check whether they match. We lay the sheets in layers on the concave side of the block, carefully coating each layer with glue. After the glue has completely dried, all that remains is to carefully sand the roof and attach it to the box using the same glue.
According to the diagram with the indicated dimensions, carefully cut out the remaining parts for the mailbox from sheets of plywood
In the front wall of the box we cut out an opening for the door and a slot for throwing in correspondence. We nail or screw a piano hinge to the door, and also cut out a keyhole to make a lock. Having installed the door, carefully clean the entire drawer, and then cover it with a layer of paint or varnish.
Mailboxes are used to receive letters, newspapers and magazines. In the entrances of apartment buildings, every time you pass by, you involuntarily have to recognize their unattractive monotony. Anyone can make mailboxes with their own hands. Surprise your neighbors with your creativity!
Mailbox: a bright accent at home
You can distinguish a standard mailbox from the crowd, making it noticeable, recognizable, and original.
The easiest way is to repaint it a different color from the rest of the boxes. You can go further and apply some kind of drawing or pattern, it depends on your artistic abilities. There must be an apartment number on the box. The numbers printed diagonally will also give the box some originality.
The impossibility of making changes to the design of the apartment box somewhat limits the embodiment of creative and design fantasies. You can make your own mailbox from scrap materials.
Variety of styles and shapes
Another thing is installing a mailbox in a country house or country house. You can make it yourself, and it will look exactly the way you want. When making a box with your own hands, you can adhere to a certain style. There are several main styles:
Requirements
It's easy to make a mailbox with your own hands. The photos below will help you decide on the design of the product.
Whatever the style of mailbox, it must meet certain requirements: durability, convenience and protection from rain and snow getting on correspondence.
Standard wooden mailbox
The box will require the following set:
- a sheet of plywood with a thickness of at least 5 mm;
- wooden blocks 15×15 mm;
- furniture hinges;
- small tin plate;
- or jigsaw;
- hammer;
- fastening material (screws, nails).
It should be such that it can easily fit a standard A4 sheet. Let's try to make mailboxes with our own hands right now.
Let's get started
Two blanks with dimensions of 350×250 mm and 350×70 mm are cut out of plywood. These will be the front and back walls and sides. For the lower part, a blank measuring 250×70 mm is cut out. This is where the creation of a wooden mailbox begins. Anyone can make it with their own hands.
There should be a gap of about 20mm at the top of the drawer for correspondence. Therefore, the workpiece is made with a size of 250x50 mm, in this case the gap will be located near the edge of the top of the box. You can also cut two blanks measuring 250x25 mm, then the slot for correspondence will be located in the middle. The bottom bar should be 250x70 mm in size.
Four bars of length 350 mm and 220 mm are cut. They will be located in the corners of the box and provide rigidity to the structure.
For durability, it is advisable to treat all parts before assembly with solutions that repel insects and prevent rotting.
Assembling the box
Using it on all workpieces, remove burrs and smooth out minor irregularities. The bars are assembled into a rectangle. The front wall (350×250 mm) is laid on them. The sides of the bars are combined with the ends of the plywood blank, and they are fixed with nails or screws. Using glue together with nails will strengthen the connection and increase the tightness. The glue is applied to the side of the block and to the edge of the plywood piece. Then they are connected and fixed with nails.
The rear wall is connected to the bars in a similar way. A very important point is not to forget about attaching the box to the fence or wall of the house. To do this, two eyes are screwed to the upper edge of the rear wall.
The front and rear walls are placed on the end edges and alternately fastened with the side strips (350x70 mm). The top of the drawer consists of two slats (250x25 mm). They are fastened with nails and glue so that there is a gap of about 20 mm between them.
The bottom of the box is made folding so that it is possible to remove correspondence. To do this, two furniture hinges are screwed to the long edge of the plank, and a small corner loop for a zip lock is attached to the opposite side of the plank. Then the furniture hinges are connected to the back wall, the bottom is closed, and at the level of the lock loop, a second eye is attached to the front wall.
To prevent rain and snow from falling into the gap of the mailbox from above, a protective plate is cut out of tin and installed. It should have rounded edges and be slightly larger than the top of the drawer. The plate is made folding; for this purpose it is attached to the back wall using small furniture hinges.
There is a mailbox option with an opening front wall. In this case, the box is assembled in the same way, only the front side is made on hinges.
After assembly, the box is carefully processed with sandpaper, painted and decorated.
Recently, the decorative finishing technique - decoupage - has become widespread. These are magazines or postcards with bright colorful pictures. The cut out pictures are glued to the surface and covered with several layers of varnish. The theme of the pictures can be chosen in accordance with the house or the surrounding landscape. This is how original mailboxes are obtained. It's easy to make them with your own hands.
Mailbox with signal flag
The box will be located on the inside of the fence. An American mailbox is made with a signal flag. We will decorate it with our own hands; in addition, it will require a stand with a bevel. They are made from a 50×25 mm profile pipe.
The base of the box is cut out of plywood with a thickness of at least 10 mm with dimensions of 400x400 mm, carefully primed and painted.
When the paint has dried, the base is attached to the stand with self-tapping screws. The resulting platform is installed on the fence and secured.
The creative process
On the outside of the fence, opposite the platform, a slot is cut for correspondence. Its dimensions are 250×20 mm. Covers are secured on both sides of the gap. On the outside of the fence, on the top of the lining, a damper is attached. The screw and nut are not fully tightened, allowing the damper to move left and right. To prevent the connection from loosening during operation and the nut coming off the screw, a lock nut is tightened over it. Handmade mailboxes will not only attract attention, but will also bring joy to the owners of the house.
The signaling device consists of two plates located at an angle of 90° relative to each other and mounted on a steel rod. The signaling device is positioned so that the raised plate is opposite the gap in the fence, and the other lies on the platform. A piece of mail inserted into the slot will place the plate, and the signal plate will rise. In the absence of mail, the device must be in the working position; for this, a counterweight in the form of a small weight is installed on the upper edge of the signal plate.
A rod with plates is secured to the platform using carbon loops. The hinges are screwed to the platform with self-tapping screws, located as close as possible to the plates. This will prevent the rod from falling out of the loops.
The frame for the box is assembled from bars with a cross-section of at least 15×15 mm. The parameters are determined by the size of the mail - 350x250x250 mm. On the platform, the box is positioned so that the signal plate is outside it.
The box is sheathed depending on what it will be stylized as. It can be in a rustic style or in the form of a warehouse covered with sheets of iron.
To imitate a country house, trimming clapboard boards are well suited. The walls of the dollhouse can be made of fiberboard (fiberboard) with decoupage napkins glued on. The warehouse is sheathed with pieces of galvanized sheet metal. A signal plate cut in the shape of the corresponding character will help to complete the look.
To be able to pick up mail, the upper part of the box, also known as the roof of the house, is made foldable. To do this, small furniture hinges are used to connect the base of the roof to the rear wall of the box. It is also necessary to make a cutout in the back wall of the box for correspondence.
We fasten the components
All parts are connected using glue and nails. After assembly, we decorate the mailboxes with our own hands using paints of the appropriate colors. The wooden parts of the house are carefully painted. The paint selected is glossy and waterproof. The assembled house is attached to the platform, close to the fence, and the cutout in the back wall is aligned with the gap in the fence.
Any mailbox can be equipped with an electric alarm. It consists of two contact plates, two wires, a battery and a light bulb. A simple electrical circuit is assembled, in the gap of which there are contact plates. The plates are cut from a plastic bottle, some ends remain fastened to each other, and contact strips are attached to the others. A soft spring is installed between the plates. The plates are placed at the bottom of the box. The weight of correspondence placed in the mailbox closes the contacts and the control light comes on.
When everything is finished and the structure is installed in place, on the outside of the fence, near the slot for correspondence, it is necessary to make an explanatory inscription “MAIL”.
Style and prestige
The wrought iron mailbox looks great. It can be done with your own hands by a person who is excellent with a welding tool. First, a layout is created. It is cut out of metal, the parts are secured by welding and installed in a permanent place. It is important to think over a small foundation for the box. This way it will last for a longer period of time.
A street mailbox can be of any shape and size. You can create a real masterpiece with your own hands.
Owners of their own houses or summer cottages still receive letters, subscribe to newspapers and magazines, and there is also a need to deliver bills or parcels. And in order for all this correspondence to be delivered to the addressee, he needs to have a special cell at his place of residence. Of course, the modern market offers a wide variety of models and variations of this product, but it’s so nice to make a mailbox with your own hands, put a little of yourself into it, and even thanks to the unusual design, decorate a residential building or summer cottage. This article will talk about how to make a mailbox.
There are plenty of options for creating a mailbox with your own hands. They may differ from each other in shape, size, color, design and material of manufacture, as well as in design style. What types of mailboxes are there?
Types of mailboxes for a private home
Most of the models discussed are quite easy to do yourself, and you do not need to purchase expensive materials or equipment. So, what kind of mailboxes can you find today? First of all, it should be said that the style of the post determines the overall appearance of the site or the exterior of the house.
- It is also important when creating a mailbox to take into account the amount of correspondence sent. That is, if the owner receives a lot of letters, magazines, newspapers or advertising booklets every day, then a more capacious product will be needed, but if there is a minimum number of letters, then you can build a small box with an original decoration. Very often, a mailbox is used not for its intended purpose, but as a decorative element. The product is installed in a visible place and perfectly complements the overall appearance of a private house or garden area.
- There are several style solutions for designing a mailbox. The most famous American and English designs for receiving correspondence. The traditions of Europe and America are somewhat different from domestic ones. For example, in American cities, postal boxes are needed not only for receiving letters, but also for sending. If there is correspondence in the box, the postman takes it and takes it to the post office. But how can you determine that a message needs to be sent? It was for this purpose that special flags were invented on every mailbox in the states. If the flag is raised, it means the postman needs to look inside; if it is lowered, it means the box is empty.
- Another feature of such structures is that they are installed not like the usual structures on walls or a fence, but on lawns or areas near paths leading to the house, and are fixed on vertical supports (metal, wood and even stone). In shape, such products resemble a small container or house, which has a semicircular hinged lid at the end.
- This is a standard look, but in many states there are often competitions for the most original letter box. That is why near some houses you can find unusual structures in the form of fairy-tale characters, animals or any abstractions, as well as mounted on various stands. In addition, very often purchased products are simply decorated in a special way and thus stand out from the crowd of others.
- A slightly different tradition exists in UK cities. Here, mailboxes are installed directly on the ground near the front door or near the path with the entrance to the property. In appearance, this design resembles a small cabinet, which may have brick or stone walls. Of course, other materials are also used - wood, metal and even plastic.
- Such a structure should be compatible in style with the house and the site, that is, if the walls of the building are made of brick or have it in the design, then the mailbox will be made of this material, or a stone gate, usually complemented by stone structures for receiving letters and press . To make it easy for the postman to put the correspondence, and for the owner to easily retrieve it, the boxes are installed as if on a stand, which is an inseparable continuation of the structure. That is, this product is stationary and does not involve moving from place to place.
- Still, the most common type of mailboxes in our country are traditional ones, or otherwise called standard mailboxes. Their main feature is that they are rectangular in shape, and correspondence enters through a small slot. In order to remove letters or newspapers, you need to open the door or move one of the walls. Such structures are very often installed on apartment doors. These products are slightly larger than American mailboxes and more mobile than English ones. They can be made from a wide variety of materials, and also have different shapes.
- Of course, modern mailboxes are no longer just a rectangular box; there are decorative elements and an original appearance. It is these products that are the easiest to manufacture, convenient to use, and at the same time can perfectly decorate any building, be it a multi-level cottage or a small country house. They are installed on fences, walls of homes, and even on a free-standing stand.
How to make a mailbox with your own hands
So, if standard, commercially available products are not the ultimate dream and you really want to create something of your own, original, then it’s time to get creative. First of all, you need to decide on a specific idea, the appearance of the future mailbox. Then, you should decide what materials will be needed to implement the plan. Let's look at how to create your own wooden mailbox. This is the simplest option, and at the same time it is possible to create a real masterpiece from which it will be so pleasant to take letters out.
- Assembling the structure is somewhat reminiscent of creating a birdhouse; many people were probably involved in this type of activity in childhood. To build a mailbox, you will need a simple set of tools: a hammer, a saw, a ruler, a pencil, a screwdriver, hardware or glue. The materials you will need are wooden boards, boards or sheets of plywood, chipboard, MDF, etc.
- Next, determine the size of the mailbox. Specific parameters are selected based on what you plan to receive. If these are only letters and small advertising booklets, then a small product will be enough, but if the box is designed to receive large-sized magazines, then its dimensions should be appropriate. In any case, it is always better to make it a little larger than the standard one, then you won’t have to worry that not all printed materials will fit inside.
- The next step is to define the design. This concerns not only the features of the form, but also what elements will be needed for decoration. After all, the box for the press and letters must be combined with the exterior of the house, which means that some details must have something in common. This stage also involves the selection of a specific material and future color scheme.
When the choice of shape, materials, colors and decorative elements has been made, you can begin to manufacture the parts.
Step-by-step instructions for creating a mailbox
- For work you will need blocks of wood, plywood, preferably moisture-resistant (or use special impregnations that will help make the parts sufficiently resistant to precipitation and other weather conditions), metal corners, wood glue, a screwdriver, self-tapping screws and a hand or automatic saw or jigsaw will also be useful . In addition, depending on the design of the lid, it is necessary to prepare a hinge device, as well as a lock with which the door will be locked.
- Since our box has a more complex shape than just a rectangle, it is recommended to first create a frame from beams. For this purpose, it is enough to use slats with a cross section of 20-10 mm. The length will depend on the specific model, but approximately 20-40 cm is sufficient. The resulting base for the product will be shaped like a cube, but will have a small triangular roof.
- The next step is to secure the walls. Durable plywood is perfect for this purpose, but ordinary boards of small thickness can also be used. You will need two pieces for the side walls, two for the front and back panels and two for the top and bottom, as well as two pieces for the roof. Of course, we should not forget that all parts should be treated with impregnations, which will protect the finished structure from natural factors and extend the service life for a longer time.
- The plywood is screwed to the frame using corners and self-tapping screws; for greater reliability, the bottom of the mailbox can be additionally glued with adhesives, and all joints of the finished structure can be coated with moisture-resistant sealant. Don’t forget to make a cut on the front or top panel. Through this gap the postman will place letters and press inside. It is also necessary to make an opening door. It is possible that the roof of the house will serve as the opening part. To do this, attach this element using hinges.
- In cases where it is difficult to make a gap in plywood, for example, with insufficient experience, you can use a little trick. Use not a whole piece of plywood, but two halves that will not reach each other at a certain distance. Usually, a 1-2 cm slot is enough for these purposes, but when you plan to receive larger correspondence, you can leave more.
- Having completed all of the above procedures, we can assume that the box is almost ready. All that remains is to paint it or decorate it in any other way and install it in a permanent place, and also take care of protecting letters, magazines and newspapers from rain. Indeed, in cases where the slot for incoming correspondence is located at the top, moisture can easily penetrate inside. This is why you should install a special canopy over the box. It is best if it is made of metal.
The described method involves creating the simplest version of a mailbox, which you can do yourself even without special skills. Of course, in cases where it is possible to make more complex shapes and designs, you should not deny yourself such pleasure. After all, a mailbox is not just a box for receiving letters, it is also a wonderful decorative element.
Mailbox decoration options
- There are several fairly common ways to decorate a mailbox. First of all, you can use paints and apply any patterns, ornaments, and sometimes entire paintings to all structural elements. Even without artistic skills, you can accomplish this task yourself. Stencils made of paper, cardboard or plastic can help with this.
- Acrylic paints are best suited for painting on materials such as wood or metal. In order for the image to last for more than one season, it is first recommended to cover the entire surface with a layer of white primer, and apply a moisture-resistant varnish on top of the image, which will also protect the structure from damage caused by rain or snow.
- The next decoration option assumes that the mailbox will be decorated with a type of creativity such as decoupage. This is also a fairly simple method that does not require special skills. It is enough to select the required design depicted on a napkin or decoupage card. Next, the surface of the structure is painted white (this is one of the standard solutions), and then small fragments or the entire design are glued to the walls of the mailbox using PVA glue. When the glue is completely dry, apply several layers of varnish on top.
- Another solution that will help make the mail original is to attach several decorative tassels, beads, shells and other elements to the box. In order for such decoration to hold securely and last for many years, you should choose good glue.
- Even an unusual coloring will make the mailbox an original decoration for the entire summer cottage or private house. And if you turn on your imagination, use improvised materials and various artistic techniques, you can get real works of art. With the right approach, you can even decorate the box with fresh flowers, which will grow in small containers on the sides of the structure.
Original solutions for creating mailboxes
- Not only can decorations add originality to a mailbox, but it is also possible to use unusual items to create the design itself. Old interior items or unnecessary things are suitable for these purposes. For example, a product made from a plastic bottle or large-diameter PVC pipe will look very unusual. This option is perfect for people who do not subscribe to a lot of newspapers and receive correspondence in small quantities. It is enough to attach a round door to the tube, which will serve both for delivering letters and for removing them.
- A similar option would be a box made from a round log or thick log. Here you should remove the core and place a suitable container inside; it can be a metal pipe, sealed on one side and with a welded door on the other. At the same time, this lid can be decorated with tree bark so that the feeling of naturalness is complete.
- If a more spacious design is required, then an empty system unit would be an excellent option. This product can be installed on any support and can even be screwed to a fence. All that remains is to build a door and decorate the box accordingly, so that the postman immediately understands that this is a box for letters and newspapers.
- In general, making a mailbox that you won’t be ashamed to install in your own home is not that difficult. You can use plexiglass, metal, wood and even cardboard using gluing, welding or assembly technologies. In addition to choosing the material and shape, it is equally important to properly secure the finished box or install it in a permanent place.
- The installation location can be a fence, a gate, a house wall, or even a separately placed support. It is important not to forget when designing a product to think in advance about the method of fastening. For example, in cases where mail is placed on a gate (wooden or metal), it is necessary to make small holes in the back wall and secure it with nuts and bolts. If you plan to install the structure on a stand, then the fasteners should be in the bottom panel.
To summarize, we can say that despite the fact that technological progress in the world has reached unprecedented heights, paper letters and the press have not gone out of fashion to this day. This means that products such as mailboxes are still needed. And not always things bought in a store can perfectly complement the style of a private home or summer cottage. That is, if you really want an original decorated and designed place for receiving correspondence, then the best solution would be to do this element yourself.
