Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jul 07, 2008 4:09 pm We are thinking of doing this, as there seem to be plenty of bricks leftover (at least 200) from our housebuild.. How difficult is it for someone with no trade experience to build a mailbox? We've found a website with step-by-step instructions and my OH is keen to have a go.
Or those of you with brick mailboxes who didn't diy - who did it for you and how much did they charge? Thanks! Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 2Jul 07, 2008 9:44 pm Hi Pod
We built our own mailbox - well, Hubby did. Basically, you just need to know : a) how to lay bricks (keeping it straight cos' it'll look ugly if it's not and if's leaning, it's going to fall) b) It's recommended that you have good footings underneath it cos' we've seen our neighbour opposite, who has a stand alone mailbox - it fell over on a very windy day. So, you should bear that in mind. c) For strength, use reinforcing bars (which is in the footings coming upwards) and bond it to the brickwork Hubby mentioned that it's a bit of an overkill but it saves it from falling over He said no harm trying, even if you fail first time, you can always redo it and perfect your skill. Make it a fun exercise cos' you got to start somewhere Hope that helps I think, therefore, I am! Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 5Jul 08, 2008 1:15 pm And something to keep in mind are the requirements from Australia Post in relation to height of mailbox and dimensions of it. All laid out here:
http://www.auspost.com.au/statutorydocu ... dix_02.htm I guess God didn't use subbies... Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 7Jul 08, 2008 1:45 pm MrT And something to keep in mind are the requirements from Australia Post in relation to height of mailbox and dimensions of it. All laid out here: http://www.auspost.com.au/statutorydocu ... dix_02.htm And if you by a brass spring loaded letter box plate....be prepared to put up with your mail ALWAYS BEING FOLDED IN HALF.....BECAUSE THE POSTY WAS LAZY!!!!!! I put up with it for eight years..... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 8Jul 08, 2008 1:49 pm to_do_list And if you by a brass spring loaded letter box plate....be prepared to put up with your mail ALWAYS BEING FOLDED IN HALF.....BECAUSE THE POSTY WAS LAZY!!!!!! I put up with it for eight years..... Those things are evil!!! We delivered the neighbourhood watch newsletter around our old place, they were our pet hate - I reckon you could lose a hand trying to deliver something into them!! Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 9Jul 08, 2008 2:16 pm vanderlay to_do_list And if you by a brass spring loaded letter box plate....be prepared to put up with your mail ALWAYS BEING FOLDED IN HALF.....BECAUSE THE POSTY WAS LAZY!!!!!! I put up with it for eight years..... Those things are evil!!! We delivered the neighbourhood watch newsletter around our old place, they were our pet hate - I reckon you could lose a hand trying to deliver something into them!! God gave you two hands....one to open, one to slide the mail in...serves you right for delivering junk mail. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 10Jul 08, 2008 2:19 pm to_do_list vanderlay to_do_list And if you by a brass spring loaded letter box plate....be prepared to put up with your mail ALWAYS BEING FOLDED IN HALF.....BECAUSE THE POSTY WAS LAZY!!!!!! I put up with it for eight years..... Those things are evil!!! We delivered the neighbourhood watch newsletter around our old place, they were our pet hate - I reckon you could lose a hand trying to deliver something into them!! God gave you two hands....one to open, one to slide the mail in...serves you right for delivering junk mail. neighbourhood watch isn't junk mail! Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 11Jul 08, 2008 2:25 pm vanderlay to_do_list vanderlay to_do_list And if you by a brass spring loaded letter box plate....be prepared to put up with your mail ALWAYS BEING FOLDED IN HALF.....BECAUSE THE POSTY WAS LAZY!!!!!! I put up with it for eight years..... Those things are evil!!! We delivered the neighbourhood watch newsletter around our old place, they were our pet hate - I reckon you could lose a hand trying to deliver something into them!! God gave you two hands....one to open, one to slide the mail in...serves you right for delivering junk mail. neighbourhood watch isn't junk mail! In the western suburbs we use them as letters of introduction...."I appeared in the June 04 edition"...sorry OT mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Has anyone built their own brick mailbox? 13Jul 08, 2008 7:16 pm Peer I built a brick mailbox once and it always remained wet inside for a long time after it had rained. This was in Europe though, nevertheless, "my 2 cents" I did a brickies course years ago because i really wanted a brick letter box and brick bbq and Dh said I couldn't build the letterbox if I didn't know what i was doing. I vaguely seem to remember something about putting in a lining board above the section for the mail to aid in water proofing it before adding the roofing section of brick. I never did build my letter box but... I did get to build 6 full height and 4 1/2 height brick piers on top of a brick retaining wall instead so it wasn't a total waste. Uncluding support rods as they were to later be the patio support piers. Our neighbour who was at the that time a brickie by trade came and checked out my work afterwards and also built 3 freestanding piers to match up with them and he said I'd actually done a professional standard job. We had a look at some letter boxes today and I've threatened to build one in brick if DH won't let me have a say in the type of letter box we get this time. Hi All, we are starting to think of building with Masterpiece Builders in Victoria, has anyone had any feedback or experience with them 0 13483 Hi we are looking to talk to people who have built with them recently. We have signed mid range built contract but identified that a lot of things are not included.… 0 640 Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20194 |