Swivel Mailbox

Intro: Swivel Mailbox

Introduction
Have you had to replace or repair your mailbox because it was hit by a snow plow or side swiped by a vehicle? I had to replace the post and mailbox as well as repair my mailbox 4 times one year. But after I installed a Swivel Mailbox, I should not need to replace the mailbox for along while.

I live on a busy road and I want my family to be safe and not to step onto the road or arch around the front to retrieve the mail. If you look online you can find a few different models of swinging mailboxes, but I wanted one that could swivel… all the way around so that my family and I can stand as far away from the road as possible. Plus, if the mailbox is hit the box will not be knocked off the post but spin around. Follow these instructions to make your own Swivel Mailbox.

Next Materials and Tools

STEP 1: Materials & Tools

Materials:
1. 4” Lazy Susie Swivel Base,
2. 4 x 4 x 53 inch Pressure Treated Post,
3. Scrap lumber,
4. Screws,
5. Mailbox,
6. Spring and
7. Slide Bolt Latch.

Tools:
1. Saw,
2. Tape Measure,
3. Screw drivers and
4. Drill.

Skill Level:
Easy

Time to Complete:
30 – 45 min.

Next Swivel

STEP 2: Swivel

1. Measure and cut Scrap Lumber to use as mounting base of the Mailbox to the Post,
2. Screw base to Mailbox,
3. Place the Mailbox 6" to 8" back from the curb; 41" to 45" above ground level and the Post buried more than 24" deep (USPS Mailbox Guidelines http://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm),
4. Attach Lazy Susie to the 4 x 4 Post and
5. Attach the Lazy Susie to the Mailbox base.

Next Spring

STEP 3: Spring

Attach the Spring to the Post and Mailbox so the Mailbox door returns to face the street.

1. Secure 1 end of the Spring to the back of the Mailbox base.
2. Slide the Spring through the Slide Bolt Latch and secure it to the Post.
3. Pull the Spring taunt and secure the end to the Post.

Next Observations and Summary

STEP 4: Observations & Summary

Observations
Here are some benefits to a Swivel Mailbox:
1. Keep family away from the street while retrieving mail.
2. Mailbox swivels when hit by snow, snow plow or passing vehicle so the energy of the impact is released instead of being absorbed. The need to replace the whole mailbox and / or post is reduced.

Update: 6/18/2016 during the evaluation stage, someone sideswiped the mailbox and broke the hinges and the door fell off, but the mailbox did what it was designed to do, swivel to release the force of the impact. Success!

Summary
I am satisfied with the results

- Then I saw, and considered it well. I looked upon it, and received instruction..

Comments

[Bucky2]

What is the length and strength of the spring?

[ezman]

Thank you for reviewing and commenting.
The spring is 16 in long, sorry I do not have an idea about the strength. It was a screen door spring that was in the shed. You can find a screen door spring on Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc. Any hardware store should have them. They come in different lengths and force, i.e. light, medium and heavy duty. This is an extension spring. I used what I had on hand, that said, I had to adjust the length so the mailbox would return to the original position.
Best success with your project.

[Bucky2]

Many thanks for your reply. Putting one on this weekend.

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Cool. That could make things a little easier for the mail carrier.

[ezman]

Thank you for reviewing and commenting. Being kind to your mail carrier is just another added feature.