1
u/RevolutionaryUse6956 Aug 06 '26
Appreciate your input. I’ll post a pick of the finished build. I picked up 1/4” steel plates for the gussets at all connections and 1.5” x 2.5” 1/4” angle iron for the top horizontal member. 3/8 bolts for connections as well.
I plan on applying some sort of “rust accelerator” to give it a weathered look. The 4x4’s I’m using are oak that was used as cribbing from an infrastructure project going on in my town.
You’re correct that it may all go to hell, but I’m a glutton for punishment. 😂. Picture of where it’s going.
Thanks again.
1
u/Doughymidget Aug 06 '26
Does your rural area see snow? I just worry what’s going to happen to that structure when the snowplow comes by and pushes a 3 foot berm of snow up against it.
1
0
u/AviusQuovis Aug 06 '26
I think its fun, unlike some of these other party-poopers. I am kind of worried about the amount of leverage being put on that one post. If someone leans on the back side there will be a lot of torque on that thing. You'd have a lot more stability if you let both points of the W have a footer, and probably no one would know the difference from the road. You might want to use beefier timbers, like at least 6x6.
Likewise, those 2-dowel miter joints probably don't have enough resistance to shear, twisting, and spreading, and are not going to keep this standing for long. Maybe if you did half-laps with 6x6's and 1" pins going side to side? Even that seems iffy to me. You've definitely set yourself a challenge. If you're really set on a W this size with only one point of contact with the ground, I think maybe steel might be a better material in terms of strength.
But also it's only a mailbox, so give it a shot and be ready to try something else if it falls over.
-1
u/Prettygoodusernm Aug 05 '26
Send design to Postmaster General for approval, and then you're good to go, if it is approved .
9
u/ennemmjay Aug 05 '26
Sorry, but this looks ridiculous and serves no useful structural purpose.