Quick Make Postbox:
We bring you a project so easy that you will definitely be ‘first past the post’
We bring you a project so easy that you will definitely be ‘first past the post’
This exterior postbox can be fixed inside a porch or bolted to a garden wall, using two screws and wall plugs. I used sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) but any decent hardwood will do, using a varnish finish to weatherproof it. You could also paint the house name or number on it.
The postbox external dimensions are: 380 x 230 x 100mm, excluding the lid which overhangs at the front and sides. Most postal items should fit in the box.
Things you will need
• Hardwood and plywood pieces
• Sliding bevel
• Plane
• Aliphatic resin glue
• Damp cloth
• Drill and drill bits
• Screws and screw cups
• Flush hinges
The lid won’t hinge at the back, as the wall is in the way, so hinge the front edge instead!
1. First, mark a rainwater runoff angle on the side pieces with a sliding bevel; the angle isn’t critical. Cut the sides to shape then cut out the back and front pieces. Use plywood for the bottom if you don’t have enough hardwood left after making the other components. The bottom fits inside to keep the postbox weatherproof. Plane the edges smooth
2. Glue all of the pieces together using weatherproof aliphatic resin glue. Carefully fit the box components together and weight them down until the glue has set. Wipe away excess glue with a damp cloth
3. Carefully mark, drill and use screw fixings to ensure it all stays together, whatever the weather. Add screw cups for the front fixings as these look better than just screws on their own
4. Add a bevel at the back edge of the lid, so it will fit neatly against a wall. Use a smoothing plane for this and take care to make it even from end-to-end
5. Lie the box on its back so the lid sits flush at the back before marking the hinge positions. Fix the hinges
to the lid first then to the box. Finally, apply several coats of exterior varnish. Remove the lid to drill and then screw through the back and into the wall