I’m planning on building a new mailbox post out of 1×6 and 1×8 wood. My plan was to install it on a post holder set in the ground. The wood will be near the ground, but not in the ground. Which wood species would you use if it was going to be painted (off white)? I’m going to spend enough time on this (routed house numbers, etc.) that I don’t want to have to make another post in a few years. What steps would you take to prevent rot and decay?
Thanks
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I'd use clear Doug Fir or red cedar and paint all surfaces
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If you have subterranean termites, don't use fir (sorry, Piffin). Here in California, I do all post work with redwood - heartwood only. Termites just LOVE the white (cream colored) sapwood.
I'm still learning.I don't see termites and the fir I get is CVG heart - no sapwood
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I'd use a solid timber, not a built-up box beam. What with snowplows and teenagers a mailbox post lives a dangerous existence. Try a 6x6; that oughta surprise anyone who swings at it with a Louisville Slugger out the window of his dad's Oldsmobile....
Eastern hemlock won't rot and the bugs don't seem to like munching on it either.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Your comments made me realize something.I do these by sinking a PT 4x4 and then build a box to slip down over that when somebody wants a nicer appearance. Have one made up and painted at the shop ready to go set next week.I assumed he had a solid timber post already and was wanting to know about the dressing for it.
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I assumed he had a solid timber post already and was wanting to know about the dressing for it.
You are probably right about that; I never thought about doing it the way you describe. (In fact I wondered why he was thinking of building up a post outta 1x stock....)
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
I hope that is his thinking. You are right too, that I would never sink a 1x box without the timber post .
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A Florida guy would use Cypress. My buddy out at Alva Hardwoods has some nice clear 1x6 at $4 a BF or so. We are doing our wainscoting with his T&G "pecky"
I'd use Cedar...
paint 4s...
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White oak beats them all for rotting. I mean not rotting.
Stronger against breakage too.
Again, white oak, no equal!
Cypress or locust if you can get it. If made of boards rather than solid, spanish cedar.
Jeff
I made my post 23 years ago out of 3 bolted together PT 2x6s and sank it in concrete below grade. . It stands today as firm as the day I made it. Can't say the same for the half dozen or so mail boxes that have come and gone since, tho...
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Is that because of snow plow traffic?
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And kids with bats. Found a brand new box one morning caved in with the dusty sole mark still on it. They had to get out of the car to kick it. I would hope. And we live on a cul-de-sac.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Power co here still gives away 'pole butts", ecutoffs of telephone poles/
Have an 8" dia creosote one has been in for 35 years - even beed nit flat out by an escaping burgular once and survived.
Thanks for all of your responses. I am setting the 1x box down over a sunken PT post.
I went with clear redwood as that was what was available on a Saturday around Cincinnati (Hyde Park Lumber)
I had an uncle who lived on a country road at a 'blind' curve. A truck would come by & take out his mailbox at least once a week. He used a pole butt from the phone co. for his post. Planted about 4 ft. deep. Unfortunately, after having 2 wrecked trucks removed from his yard, the state removed his mailbox post - - you just can't win :-)