Got Mail?
STAMP OF APPROVAL?
The photo you see above is the Super Duty Mailbox Post that’s outside our shop in West Jefferson, North Carolina. It’s not only handsome but rugged. One of the guys said, “I pity the truck that runs into it.”
Here are the U.S. Postal Service guidelines to follow when installing a mailbox:
As of March 2023, this timber frame kit has been discontinued. We originally introduced this and other timber frame kits in March 2020, motivated by the idea that if one of our crew becomes ill, or if we have to close the shop temporarily, our crew can load their pickups with wood and tools and make the kits at home. We just wanted to keep everyone working.
Three years on, our crew is busier than ever and we’ve made the decision to concentrate on what we do best: custom timber framing projects. If a custom timber frame home, barn, great room, entryway, or other structure sounds like something you’d like to explore, we encourage you to view our work and see some of the projects we’re particularly proud of.
Wooden Mailbox Post
Got mail? Got a mailbox post you love?
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
This is not the “official” motto of the United States Postal Service, but architects McKim, Mead & White had the quote, attributed to the Greek historian Herodotus, inscribed above the entrance of the New York City Post Office they designed at 8th and 33rd. There might not be quite enough space on our DIY mailbox post whole quote, but it’s beefy enough that I bet you could come close.
This classic mailbox with a post kit makes a great weekend project for you and your family. And if you’re thinking about moving up to any of the other kits in the collection, and want to dip your toe in the water, this along with the Scrappy Bench would be a great place to start.
The toughest part of the endeavor will be digging the hole for any DIY mailbox posts you may build now or in the future – be ready for a workout. After that, you assemble the frame, drop it into place, plumb it side to side, level the mailbox beam front to back, and then backfill the hole. Pretty much instant gratification. I bet your neighbors all stop by and ask, “Hey, where’d ya’ get that mailbox and post?” Do it with your kids, and every time they turn in the driveway in the minivan they’ll remember how cool it was to assemble it. And every visit home from college, it will still be there. It’s made from naturally rot-resistant White Oak, which, over time, will turn gray and look better and better. Send the message to your neighbors that you treat everyone as First Class—even your junk mail!
Our DIY mailbox post comes in 2 versions: an 8″ x 8″ heavy-duty version and its big brother: a 10″ x 10″ super-duty version (pictured above outside our timber frame shop in West Jefferson).
Curious about the terminology used in timber frame kits? Explore our Timber Frame Glossary to learn more about the craft.
