Hi Bob,
What were the consequences of damaging the pipe? I just called Lowes and spoke to someone about my project. He said he had to replace his post and said he used 4 inch PVC pipe filled with concrete. At some point, someone ran into the post and did some serious damage to their car. They took him to court and his homeowner's insurance wound up paying for the damages. Was this true in your case as well? I'm thinking that a PVC pipe filled with concrete is a good way to go. It won't rust or rot; it's easy to work with; it can be painted; and, the price is right. Anyone have any reasons why this might not be the correct approach? Thanks. Take care, Ed Przybylek From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bob Kennedy Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:52 AM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Mailbox Post Ed, The electric jack hammer will work fine. Soak the ground around the area first and once you start hammering you might be able to pull out good sized chunks when it breaks loose from the ground. Knowing where you live and what the winters are like, you will understand how I built my mail box post. I had a problem with plow drivers tagging mine. I had a power auger in the shop so for a road test, I drilled a 1 foot diameter hole 4 feet deep. Then I took a piece of 4 inch sewer pipe and centered it in the hole. I filled the rest of the hole with concrete, cut off the pipe at the right height and filled the inside of the pipe with the rest of the concrete. I had to use a couple of the large muffler clamps, actually they fit a rear axle, and clamped the mail box bracket to the pipe. First time a plow hit my new mail box, I lost the mail box but it snapped the support arm on the plow as well. Sounded like a bomb going off when they hit. I think this would do a reasonable amount of damage to a car or pickup truck as well. You may lose the box if it is hit, but the post will defend your property and you'll feel better knowing who ran into your mail box. ----- Original Message ----- From: Edward Przybylek To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 10:07 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Mailbox Post Hi all, For the fourth time since I've been living in this house, some dirty bastard has run into and broken the post under my mailbox. The post was a 4-by-4 piece of pressure treated that was buried about 3 feet in the ground. The first time was forgivable; the second time was irritating; the third time was really agrivating; the fourth time, well, that's personal. It appears that a good sturdy wooden post just isn't up to the likes of what drives through the neighborhood. I doubt a wooden post does a great deal of damage to a car's bumper. It's time to get serious about this matter. This time it's going to be a hefty metal post of some sort. One, that next time, won't be the only thing left with damage. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the type of metal post I should use? Do steel posts hold up for a reasonably long time once they're cemented in the ground? Is there anything better? Is there anything that can be done to prepare a metal post that will extend it's life in the ground? Also, has anyone ever used an electric jackhammer? Do they work reasonably well? Are they tough to use? Before putting a new post in the ground, the old concrete is going to have to be broken up and removed to get ready for a new post. I'm hoping to do this with an electric jackhammer. Lots of questions, I know. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ed Przybylek [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
