How to make a mailbox with internal. How to make a mailbox with your own hands

Factory variations of mail collection boxes are often monotonous and not particularly original. Traditional metal or wooden boxes, which are decorated with an apartment number and a miniature padlock, will not appeal to many people.

Street mailbox

Let's look at several step-by-step master classes on how to make a mailbox for a private home with your own hands.

Varieties and styles

Mailbox, which is located in the local area, often serves not only for its intended purpose. Such products also become a harmonious addition to the design of the building facade. Therefore, before making such a product, you should decide on the design variations. Experts distinguish three main types of mailboxes:

IN classic style. This design is a vertical box equipped with a slot for letters and other correspondence. As a rule, they are installed by hanging them on a fence or wall of the house. Despite its simplicity, even such a box can be decorated in an original way through painting, decoupage techniques and other techniques.
In English style. This product is made in the form of a cabinet-table, which is mounted directly on the ground. As a rule, a mailbox is placed a few steps from the main entrance to the house. Externally, this design resembles a miniature model of a residential building and is made of durable steel or brickwork.
American style. Such mailboxes are a metal box in the shape of a half-pipe. They are mounted on a separate support or wooden rod and equipped with a special flag, which signals the presence of correspondence inside. It simply rises if the box contains letters.

Options in the photo

Variations of mailboxes depend on the imagination of the owners

Street mailbox - addition to the ensemble of a country house

The outdoor mailbox should be in harmony with the design of the house

Undoubtedly, every homeowner wants a home-made structure to not only have an original appearance, but also be durable and strong. Therefore, before planning the manufacture of a mailbox, you should consider a number of basic recommendations:

To ensure that correspondence is not exposed to the harmful effects of precipitation, it is necessary to provide a canopy over the slot for lowering letters.
If you plan to place a door to remove the contents of the drawer on the front panel, then it is important to accurately calculate the dimensions of the opening. This will prevent the formation of gaps through which snow and moisture penetrate.
When planning to install a door at the bottom of the drawer, it is advisable to make the structure hinged so that you can easily remove correspondence.
If you want to make a box from wood, you need to protect the corners of the structure with special metal plates. This will increase the strength of the product and make repairs easier in the future.
For security, it is worth providing a lock or alarm.

Just a few simple rules will extend the life of your product

Made of wood

Very popular designs in domestic spaces are made from natural wood. This material allows you to experiment with the shapes of the box, as well as the external design. In addition, it is easy to obtain and does not require any professional skills to operate.

So, to build a mailbox you need to prepare the following materials:

wooden blocks;
protective impregnation;
wood screws;
paint brush;
door hinges (small size);
dense moisture-resistant plywood;
lock for locking;
screwdriver;
hacksaw.

The construction process looks like this:

The first step is to coat the wood material with a protective compound that will prevent damage by moisture or insects. When the sheets are dry, you can begin assembling the structure.
The dimensions of the walls depend on the desired dimensions of the future structure. To work, you will need to cut the timber into several parts so that you get 4 slats corresponding to the length of the structure, 4 shortened parts for the width and 4 pieces. to the height of the side walls.
At the first stage, it is necessary to put together these fragments in the shape of a rectangle, that is, to make a frame.
Then you need to attach plywood sheets cut according to the dimensions to it - side fragments, back and bottom. The result will be a box without a top cover and a front panel.
In order not to cut a hole for correspondence from a single piece of wood, you can make a cover from 2 panels, leaving a 1 cm slot in the middle.
The front of the box will look like a door with a small lock. This will allow you to remove mail without hindrance and at the same time protect the structures from intruders.
To construct it, it is necessary to install on sidebar loops – 2 pcs. for the door itself and 2 pcs. for a locking structure.
We hang the façade wall and check its functionality.
This completes the production of the mailbox.

Important! Since the slot for dropping letters is at the top and is not protected from precipitation, there is a risk of damage to the correspondence. To do this, you can attach a metal sheet directly above the hole, which is fixed with small hinges. This will create a second protective cover.

Wooden mailbox - easy to make and design

Made of metal

This design is the most durable and durable, but it is much more difficult to make. To do this, you will need minimal skills in processing metal structures. So, to build such a product you need to prepare the following tools:

a metal sheet;
Bulgarian;
jigsaw or saw;
welding machine;
anti-corrosion impregnation;
dye.

The workflow looks like this:

An American mailbox will require more effort to operate, but will be stronger and more durable

From a plastic bottle

A practical and original mailbox can be made from scrap materials. The process is incredibly simple and fun, and the result is an attractive design that can be decorated to suit your taste. So, to create a box you will need:

plastic container with a capacity of 5 l;
stationery knife;
plywood fragment 25x5 cm;
lightning;
quick-drying fabric;
glue;
long needle;
synthetic strong thread.

The manufacturing process is performed in the following sequence:

Empty containers must be cut crosswise at the bottom so that the bottom opens, but does not separate completely. We apply a sewing zipper to the cut to make sure the length of the product is appropriate.
Using a needle and thread, sew the zipper to the bottle. You can also glue it, but it is worth considering that the box will be located outside, and under the influence of precipitation, the strength of the fixation will decrease every day.
We check the functionality of the zipper - the improvised folding bottom should open and close well.
We wrap the container in decorative material - fabric, burlap. Leave the bottom part transparent so you can see the presence of correspondence. We cut off excess material.
Then we remove the fabric and coat the surface of the bottle with glue. We reapply the material and firmly fix it. We are waiting for the composition to dry completely.
We cut out a hole for mail on the front wall of the container.
We fix the plywood panel on the back using glue. You will need it to mount the box on a fence or wall.
At this point the product is ready. After complete drying, place the box in in the right place and enjoy the work done.

Important! For decoration, you can use not only fabric, but also any types of moisture-resistant coatings. You can paint the facade, paint it and varnish it or decorate it with artificial flowers.

A mailbox made from a plastic bottle is the easiest way to make it

From cardboard

Such products are easy to manufacture and also cost-effective. Any unnecessary box will be suitable for constructing a mailbox. All you need is a minimum of effort and a little imagination. In this example, let's look at a step-by-step master class using an empty tablet box for a washing machine as an example.

So, before work you need to prepare the following tools:

cardboard containers;
stationery knife;
glue gun;
decorative paper;
wood varnish;
paint brush.

The construction process is carried out in the following sequence of actions:

As you can see, making an original mailbox is not at all difficult; you just need a little effort and imagination. Various design variations allow you to make it from the most simple materials, using even recycled materials. However, before you make a box with your own hands, keep in mind that its appearance should be in harmony with the overall ensemble of your site.

Mailboxes are used to receive letters, receipts, and promotional newsletters. But not only adults want to use such devices. Quite often in preschool institutions you can see children's mailboxes. It’s quite easy to create them with your own hands from cardboard. In this article we will figure out how to do this.

What is it used for?

You can make a mailbox both for your private home and for a child’s play. Many child psychologists and teachers consider it very important to use objects from everyday life or professions in a child’s amusement. By coming into contact with such things and understanding their essence from early childhood, children will be more prepared for adulthood.

Using the example of a mailbox, you can explain to your child how letters get into our homes. If you approach the issue from a creative side, you can also come up with many interesting games. Making a mailbox with your own hands is quite simple. First you need to familiarize yourself with the items you will need for the job.

Necessary materials

First you need to choose the main material - the one from which you will make the frame of the product. If it will hang outside, it is better to use dense and waterproof materials. In the case of a children's mailbox, you will need:

Paper, cardboard, wood or even foam.
Scissors, glue, markers, pencil, ruler, paints.
All kinds of decorative elements: beads, colored paper, stickers.

If you are making a mailbox out of wood, you will need varnish.

Cardboard product

It is considered optimal for children's play. You can make your own mailbox out of cardboard using an ordinary shoe box. Its size can be anything. Next, you need to follow the following step-by-step instructions:

Remove the lid from the box. Cut a rectangular hole in it, into which the envelope will fit.
Use colored paper, stickers and markers to decorate your mailbox to make it look more colorful. This work should be entrusted to the child so that he develops his creative abilities. Ready!

There is one more the hard way How to make a mailbox with your own hands from cardboard. For this you will also need a regular shoe box. The action plan will be as follows:

Remove the lid from the box. Cut off the last wall to create a rectangle that can be glued to the empty side of the box.
Next, you need to place the box vertically in front of you. And carefully cut out the top cover so that it only sticks on one side. This will be the top of the mailbox.
The upper walls need to be cut obliquely so that they are lowered towards the front side of the box, which will be the front. This way we will get a slope, like in real mailboxes.
In the cut out lid you need to make a rectangular hole into which the letters will be placed. And use tape to glue this lid to the empty side of the box.
The lid should be glued so that it is tilted down.
The last stage is decorating the product to your liking.

Paper product

Some people do not want to make a product out of cardboard, but also adhere to simplicity in manufacturing. For such people, another material is suitable - paper. It is very easy for any decorative and applied works. So how to make a mailbox out of paper? It is recommended to use thick paper so that it does not sag or wrinkle. We will make a mailbox similar to those that are widely used abroad. That is, semi-oval in shape. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

Lay out a sheet of thick paper in front of you. On it you need to measure two strips, 15 centimeters wide. The length of the blanks should be 30 centimeters.
In the first strip, round the edges on both sides into a semi-oval.
Place the first strip directly in front of you. Measure 8 centimeters from its two edges. And fold the two edges. This will be the back of the mailbox and its door.
The second strip needs to be turned into an oval box lid. Glue all the parts to each other.
If desired, you can cut out a lock for the door from cardboard and decorate the finished box in different ways.

The product is ready!

There are many ways to make your mailbox original. It all depends only on imagination, desire and the means at your disposal:

The mailbox can be made as a gift. You will need to print out photos of the person you want to give it to. This idea for a present will be very original, especially if it is carried out by a small child. First, from the schemes proposed above, you need to make a mailbox with your own hands. Photos printed in advance just need to be carefully glued to it. If desired, you can put a letter inside the box that the child will write. Any person would be pleased to receive such an original congratulation.
Sometimes a situation arises when you urgently need to help your child make a craft for kindergarten or school. In this case, there is an express option on how to make a mailbox as quickly as possible. You will need a cereal or breakfast box. You need to cut a hole in its top lid for letters, and cover the box itself with colored paper or decorate it in some other way. Making a mailbox with your own hands from cardboard for a kindergarten can be very time-consuming, but this option can save you time.

Price

Making this craft does not require a lot of money. A package of cardboard or colored paper can be purchased for around 40–50 rubles. Most often, everyone has shoe boxes and white paper at home, as well as the tools necessary for work. You will only have to spend money on stickers and other decorative items.

1 Varieties
2 Some tips for making
3 Manufacturing instructions
3.1 Plywood and wood
3.2 Cardboard box
4 Options for attaching mailboxes
5 Videos
6 Photos

A private or country house, as well as a dacha, have their own address to which letters, notices and other correspondence will be sent. To prevent it from scattering all over the area and from getting wet from rain or snow, it is best to install a mailbox near the gate. You can buy it at a hardware store, but your own model would be ideal. You can choose any material, dimensions, shape and colors. We will talk about how to make a mailbox with your own hands in this article. Detailed developments and step by step instructions will help you realize any idea and project.

Varieties

It is very important that the mailbox is combined with the overall style of the house, as well as the landscape design of the site, and a harmonious picture is obtained. No less important is such a parameter as capacity and choosing the right place for placement. Experts advise first deciding on this question: the future letter box will be used exclusively for its intended purpose or will additionally be a separate decorative element. In the latter case, your appearance it will attract the attention of passers-by and friends.

With door at the bottom

Now let's look at the main types of mailboxes, which are divided by execution style.

Traditional mailboxes are purchased exclusively for receiving all types of correspondence. Such types are common in post-Soviet countries and can be made from the most different materials. IN modern world to make them more attractive, they are additionally decorated with a variety of objects. They are mounted both on the fence and on the gate. It should be noted that this particular type is universal and popular, as it is simple and convenient.

American American boxes are the same in design, but different in design. This allows everyone to choose best option. All mail is left horizontal, so bulky magazines and newspapers will have to be rolled up. A special difference from other models of boxes is the presence of a special flag. If it is raised, it means there are letters to be sent. Unlike our rules, in America postmen retrieve letters and send them through the mail themselves. An American mailbox should be installed on a separate support made of wood or metal, or a decorative figure.

Drawer design English type It is a stationary cabinet-table, which is laid out of brick or welded durable metal. Install it directly on the ground, a couple of meters before the entrance to the site. Skilled builders make a replica of the house in miniature, which will harmoniously complement the main building of the estate. These boxes are quite spacious and also very durable, so they will last for many years.

English

The category of original mailboxes includes projects and finished products that are exclusively extraordinary design solutions. In any of them you can recognize most household items that have gone through transformation. The easiest option is to make a post office for a private home from plastic or lumber. But if you want to make a model from sheets of metal, you will need skills and a welding machine. At the same time, it is the most durable and durable.

Made of metal

Some tips for making

In fact, the upcoming process is quite simple and anyone can make a beautiful mailbox with their own hands if they wish. In order for the result to exceed expectations, you should still adhere to some recommendations.

When choosing lumber as side fasteners, choose corners that will give additional strength, in addition, if necessary, it will be possible to simply carry out restoration.

The slot for correspondence, located at the top, requires additional protection from precipitation, made in the form of a special protective visor.

The door for removing letters is most conveniently located at the bottom; it is better if it is hinged. If the door is placed on the front panel, then it is necessary to make accurate calculations so that cracks and cracks do not form during operation.

The safety of all letters and newspapers will be ensured by a small but durable lock for the mailbox. It is best to attach the key to a common keychain.

To protect yourself from large quantity paper advertising, which is of no interest to the owners, it is recommended to create an additional table next to the post office.

In the form of a Prostokvashino house

Do you want to always be aware of new emails? You can make a homemade alarm in the box, which will signal that fresh press has arrived. To make it, you only need a sheet of thin plywood, a few wires, a battery, a light bulb and contact plates.

In addition, consider a few tips from designers:

You can highlight the fencing of a house made of artificial stone with a mailbox of the same style and direction. Stick to a single color scheme to achieve a harmonious ensemble.

A site far from the city, in a village, requires decoration in Provence or country style, so it is better to make the box from wood.

On a forged fence that encloses the territory of a private house, it would be appropriate to place a metal mailbox with forged elements. They must repeat the pattern on the spans or gates.

For a small dacha sector you can choose original idea: a correspondence box made from improvised materials.

Manufacturing Instructions

Here are some common examples of making mailboxes that any craftsman can implement.

Plywood and wood

Wooden mailbox diagram

To work, first of all, you should collect and purchase all the materials and tools:

sheet of veneer or thin plywood measuring 65x65 cm;
sheet of plywood (9 mm) measuring 65x43.5 cm;
timber (pine) measuring 100×7.5×5 cm;
stainless steel piano hinge (13 cm);
sandpaper (fine grain);
mortise lock;
screws;
wood glue;
colloidal silica;
two-component epoxy adhesive.

Wooden diagram

The algorithm of actions is simple, so there should be no difficulties in the process.

The beam is cut into three sections 33 cm long. Three lines are drawn on one beam: a central one and two transverse ones (the distance between them should be 30 cm). Using a pattern, draw a smooth curve. A cut is made along the line with a hacksaw, and the edge is cleaned. Using similar actions, the remaining two bars are processed.

The prepared elements are glued together.

The plywood sheet is cut into pieces according to the diagram below.

The veneer sheet is cut into eight sheets measuring 32x16 cm. The finished elements are laid one by one on the concave section of the block and each is coated with a layer of epoxy glue. The first layer is laid on a pine block with a sheet of newspaper, and then sheets of veneer. It is important to check that all elements match in size and that there are no gaps.

When the glue is completely dry, the prepared cover is sanded and adjusted to fit the front and back walls.

Using a hacksaw, cut out a slot for mail and an opening for a door on the front wall.

The width of the door is fixed to the hinge using screws.

A place for the lock socket is selected and a keyhole is cut out.

The lid is secured using glue to which colloidal silica is added.

The door is installed, and the entire structure is completely cleaned with sandpaper.

The finished box is coated with varnish or paint, the house number is set and, after complete drying, it is fixed to the fence.

Cardboard box

Mailbox drawing

An original dollhouse-type mailbox, additionally decorated with lace, will become a bright accent and addition to any exterior of a country house. To make it you will need the following materials and tools:

modeling cardboard 4 mm thick;
drawer lock;
PVA glue;
paper tape;
stationery tape.

Assembly

For decoration, special napkins for decoupage and acrylic paints are purchased: white, black and silver.

Decoration

Procedure:

According to a pre-prepared diagram, we cut out all the necessary parts with a stationery knife.

Pay attention to the part with the window: it is important not to cut the cardboard to the end. This will prevent ruptures.

The folds are fixed with paper tape.

The prepared parts are glued with PVA glue and the finished structure is left to dry.

When the mailbox is dry, you can move on to decoration: to achieve the effect of antiquity, all external elements are covered with napkins and covered with black and white paint. The corners are finished in silver.

Install a miniature lock on the door and complete the decoration with drawings cut out from decoupage napkins. The lid is decorated with lace.

From cardboard

All decorative elements should fit well and harmonize with each other, so you should compare them immediately.

Mailbox mounting options

As already mentioned in the section on types of mailboxes, each type is installed in its own way. If you are undecided, then it is worth considering all installation options. Let's look at an example of several options for fixing simple mailboxes.

Drawer installation Fence. To do this, two cuts are made on the back of the mail. Next, using metal clamps or thick wire, fastening is carried out. It is very important to level the box at this stage.

Gates. It is not uncommon to see a mailbox attached directly to a gate made of metal or wood. Here you will also need to make holes in advance on the back panel and on the gate. Nuts and bolts are used as fasteners.

Wall installation. As in the two previous methods, holes should be made both on the wall of the mailbox and on the wall. The structure is secured with small anchors or dowels - everything will depend on the thickness and type of wall surface.

If we are talking about a free-standing mailbox, then securing it will be quite simple: you need a platform, which is crowned with a pole.

Freestanding mailbox

In conclusion, I would like to note that if you have free time, the necessary material and imagination, you can make an original mailbox, the duplicate of which will not be available in the whole world. Such an element will complement the landscape design and will put the finishing touches on the decoration of the fence.

See how to make a house-shaped mailbox:

In the form of a house

With forged parts

With an image

Wooden mailbox covered with stain

Mailbox decoupage

Mailbox decoration

House

Wood

American mailbox

Mailboxes are used to receive letters, newspapers and magazines. In the entrances of apartment buildings, every time you pass by, you involuntarily have to recognize their unattractive monotony. Anyone can make mailboxes with their own hands. Surprise your neighbors with your creativity!

Mailbox: a bright accent at home

You can distinguish a standard mailbox from the crowd, making it noticeable, recognizable, and original.

The easiest way is to repaint it a different color from the rest of the boxes. You can go further and apply some kind of drawing or pattern, it depends on your artistic abilities. There must be an apartment number on the box. The numbers printed diagonally will also give the box some originality.

The impossibility of making changes to the design of the apartment box somewhat limits the embodiment of creative and design fantasies. You can make your own mailbox from scrap materials.

Variety of styles and shapes

Another thing is installing a mailbox in country house or at the dacha. You can make it yourself, and it will look exactly the way you want. When making a box with your own hands, you can adhere to a certain style. There are several main styles:

Requirements

It's easy to make a mailbox with your own hands. The photos below will help you decide on the design of the product.

Whatever the style of mailbox, it must meet certain requirements: durability, convenience and protection from rain and snow getting on correspondence.

Standard wooden mailbox

The box will require the following set:

a sheet of plywood with a thickness of at least 5 mm;
wooden blocks 15×15 mm;
furniture hinges;
small tin plate;
or jigsaw;
hammer;
fastening material (screws, nails).

It should be such that it can easily fit a standard A4 sheet. Let's try to make mailboxes with our own hands right now.

Let's get started

Two blanks with dimensions of 350×250 mm and 350×70 mm are cut out of plywood. These will be the front and back walls and sides. For the lower part, a blank measuring 250×70 mm is cut out. This is where the creation of a wooden mailbox begins. Anyone can make it with their own hands.

There should be a gap of about 20mm at the top of the drawer for correspondence. Therefore, the workpiece is made with a size of 250x50 mm, in this case the gap will be located near the edge of the top of the box. You can also cut two blanks measuring 250x25 mm, then the slot for correspondence will be located in the middle. The bottom bar should be 250x70 mm in size.

Four bars of length 350 mm and 220 mm are cut. They will be located in the corners of the box and provide rigidity to the structure.

For durability, it is advisable to treat all parts before assembly with solutions that repel insects and prevent rotting.

Assembling the box

Using it on all workpieces, remove burrs and smooth out minor irregularities. The bars are assembled into a rectangle. The front wall (350×250 mm) is laid on them. The sides of the bars are combined with the ends of the plywood blank, and they are fixed with nails or screws. Using glue together with nails will strengthen the connection and increase the tightness. The glue is applied to the side of the block and to the edge of the plywood piece. Then they are connected and fixed with nails.

The rear wall is connected to the bars in a similar way. Very important point- do not forget about attaching the box to the fence or wall of the house. To do this, two eyes are screwed to the upper edge of the rear wall.

The front and rear walls are placed on the end edges and alternately fastened with the side strips (350x70 mm). The top of the drawer consists of two slats (250x25 mm). They are fastened with nails and glue so that there is a gap of about 20 mm between them.

The bottom of the box is made folding so that it is possible to remove correspondence. To do this, two furniture hinges are screwed to the long edge of the plank, and a small corner loop for a zip lock is attached to the opposite side of the plank. Then the furniture hinges are connected to the back wall, the bottom is closed, and at the level of the lock loop, a second eye is attached to the front wall.

To prevent rain and snow from falling into the gap of the mailbox from above, a protective plate is cut out of tin and installed. It should have rounded edges and be slightly larger than the top of the drawer. The plate is made folding; for this purpose it is attached to the back wall using small furniture hinges.

There is a mailbox option with an opening front wall. In this case, the box is assembled in the same way, only the front side is made on hinges.

After assembly, the box is carefully processed with sandpaper, painted and decorated.

Recently, the decorative finishing technique - decoupage - has become widespread. These are magazines or postcards with bright colorful pictures. The cut out pictures are glued to the surface and covered with several layers of varnish. The theme of the pictures can be chosen in accordance with the house or the surrounding landscape. This is how original mailboxes are obtained. It's easy to make them with your own hands.

Mailbox with signal flag

The box will be located on the inside of the fence. An American mailbox is made with a signal flag. We will decorate it with our own hands; in addition, it will require a stand with a bevel. They are made from a 50×25 mm profile pipe.

The base of the box is cut out of plywood with a thickness of at least 10 mm with dimensions of 400x400 mm, carefully primed and painted.

When the paint has dried, the base is attached to the stand with self-tapping screws. The resulting platform is installed on the fence and secured.

The creative process

On the outside of the fence, opposite the platform, a slot is cut for correspondence. Its dimensions are 250×20 mm. Covers are secured on both sides of the gap. On the outside of the fence, on the top of the lining, a damper is attached. The screw and nut are not fully tightened, allowing the damper to move left and right. To prevent the connection from loosening during operation and the nut coming off the screw, a lock nut is tightened over it. Handmade mailboxes will not only attract attention, but will also bring joy to the owners of the house.

The signaling device consists of two plates located at an angle of 90° relative to each other and mounted on a steel rod. The signaling device is positioned so that the raised plate is opposite the gap in the fence, and the other lies on the platform. A piece of mail inserted into the slot will place the plate, and the signal plate will rise. In the absence of mail, the device must be in the working position; for this, a counterweight in the form of a small weight is installed on the upper edge of the signal plate.

A rod with plates is secured to the platform using carbon loops. The hinges are screwed to the platform with self-tapping screws, located as close as possible to the plates. This will prevent the rod from falling out of the loops.

The frame for the box is assembled from bars with a cross-section of at least 15×15 mm. The parameters are determined by the size of the mail - 350x250x250 mm. On the platform, the box is positioned so that the signal plate is outside it.

The box is sheathed depending on what it will be stylized as. It can be in a rustic style or in the form of a warehouse covered with sheets of iron.

To imitate a country house, trimming clapboard boards are well suited. The walls of the dollhouse can be made of fiberboard (fiberboard) with decoupage napkins glued on. The warehouse is sheathed with pieces of galvanized sheet metal. A signal plate cut in the shape of the corresponding character will help to complete the look.

To be able to pick up mail, top part The box, which is also the roof of the house, is made folding. To do this, small furniture hinges are used to connect the base of the roof to the back wall of the box. It is also necessary to make a cutout in the back wall of the box for correspondence.

We fasten the components

All parts are connected using glue and nails. After assembly, we decorate the mailboxes with our own hands using paints of the appropriate colors. The wooden parts of the house are carefully painted. The paint selected is glossy and waterproof. The assembled house is attached to the platform, close to the fence, and the cutout in the back wall is aligned with the gap in the fence.

Any mailbox can be equipped with an electric alarm. It consists of two contact plates, two wires, a battery and a light bulb. A simple electrical circuit is assembled, in the gap of which there are contact plates. The plates are cut from a plastic bottle, some ends remain fastened to each other, and contact strips are attached to the others. A soft spring is installed between the plates. The plates are placed at the bottom of the box. The weight of correspondence placed in the mailbox closes the contacts and the control light comes on.

When everything is finished and the structure is installed in place, on the outside of the fence, near the slot for correspondence, it is necessary to make an explanatory inscription “MAIL”.

Style and prestige

The wrought iron mailbox looks great. It can be done with your own hands by a person who is excellent with a welding tool. First, a layout is created. It is cut out of metal, the parts are secured by welding and installed in a permanent place. It is important to think over a small foundation for the box. This way it will last for a longer period of time.

A street mailbox can be of any shape and size. You can create a real masterpiece with your own hands.

There are many options for making a box from scrap materials. They differ in shape and design, as well as in the material used to build them, and in price. Many models can be easily created with your own hands, using fairly cheap materials. Some are made using specific skills that require enormous effort and considerable expense.

What types are there?

When choosing a design, first of all you should pay special attention to the general style of the house, the expected capacity, as well as the location of the drawer. It is very important that the owners initially decide whether it will be used only for its intended purpose or whether it will perform additional decorative functions.

The style of execution of the product can be very diverse. The most commonly observed types are:

standard or traditional;
English;
American;
original.

Traditional mailboxes with a special slot for placing letters, newspapers and other correspondence are the most common in post-Soviet countries and can be made from any material.

Today, traditional structures are increasingly being decorated, thereby giving them a more unique and interesting look. Standard boxes are most often installed on gates or fences. They are very easy to make and use in the future.

For example, an American mailbox: they are all similar in structure, but when it comes to decor, each of them has no equal in this regard.

Each type has a special flag that, when raised, indicates that it contains a letter that needs to be sent as soon as possible. Postmen in America take out such letters and mail them themselves. In post-Soviet countries, you can also work according to this scheme, but for this you need to agree on this service in advance with the postman.

Such structures are mainly installed on some kind of separate support made of any material: wood, metal or others.

Traditional versions of boxes are more spacious, unlike American ones. Based on this, before you decide to make an American-type box, you need to know exactly the amount of correspondence you receive.

As for English mailboxes, they are presented in the form of a kind of column-shaped cabinet made of brick or any other durable material. It is customary to install them on the ground just a few meters from the threshold of the house or the entrance to the territory of your site. Outwardly, they resemble a small house, are very roomy, and their strength cannot but surprise.

If we talk about original types, then these include all models that have a very interesting and attractive design solution. Even various household items can be used in such a way that it will be impossible to take your eyes off.

To make a box of any type and type, you can use brick, plastic, wood, metal. If you make it yourself, it is best to give preference to a wooden or plastic variation, the construction of which will not take much time. If you decide to make a box from metal, then you need to resort to using additional tools and have welding skills.

The most durable and very reliable boxes are considered to be those made on the basis of brick or metal, in other words - for the press, English style.

A beautiful mailbox, reliable and very durable, you can make it yourself. There are several basic recommendations that are responsible for the quality of the product:

If the product is made of wood, then it is best to fasten each element of the future structure with special corners, which will give the mailbox additional strength and, in case of urgent need, will facilitate repair work.
If the slot intended for receiving correspondence is located at the top, a special protective canopy should be made that will prevent precipitation from getting inside the box.
In order to remove letters, it is best to make the door at the bottom. It would be nice if the entire lower part of the structure folded back.
If the door for removing mail is located on the front panel of the structure, you should accurately calculate all the necessary dimensions, as well as adjust the main parts to prevent the formation of gaps.
To ensure that no one except you can retrieve your correspondence, especially during absence, you need to install a lock.
To prevent all kinds of advertising leaflets and flyers from being thrown into your mailbox, install a separate wooden cabinet next to it designed for this information.

Instructions for making a wooden or plywood box

In order to make a box out of wood, you will need to stock up on the following materials:

wooden sheet (veneer or plywood) - 65*65 cm;
plywood 0.9 cm thick - 65 * 43.5 cm;
special pine beam - 100*0.75*0.5 cm;
specially prepared piano loop - 13 cm;
sandpaper to smooth out unevenness;
mortise lock;
screws;
glue for woodworking;
colloidal silica;
epoxy adhesive consisting of 2 components.

First of all, the existing pine beam will need to be cut into 3 equal pieces - 33 cm. On one of the beams you will need to draw 1 main and 2 transverse lines, with a distance of 30 cm. Using a pattern, draw a smooth curved line. Using a hacksaw, the required bend is cut out, and the edge is thoroughly cleaned. The 2 remaining bars should be processed in this way.

Then they need to be properly glued together. Plywood measuring 0.9 cm will need to be cut into pieces.

Wooden mailbox option

8 sheets measuring 32*16 cm are cut out of thin plywood or veneer. After this, all the pieces are carefully glued together. It is important that no gaps are formed during gluing.

As soon as the glue dries, the finished lid will need to be properly sanded and adjusted to the required dimensions.

In order for correspondence to be placed in the mailbox, a special opening will need to be cut on the front wall using a hacksaw. It will be necessary to make the opening necessary for the door.

After this, a piano hinge is cut out across the entire width of the existing door, after which it is attached to the base using screws.

In the same door, you need to decide on a place to embed the lock, then cut out the keyhole and install it.

After this, the lid is attached to the top. Then the door is installed and the finished box is sanded using sandpaper.

If desired, the structure can be decorated with all sorts of colors or simply varnished.

A wooden mailbox is very easy to make. The main thing is desire and compliance with all the rules during the manufacturing process.

Instructions for creating an original mailbox

Mailboxes that have been approached with an individual design approach will look very interesting and very unusual on your site. A mailbox can be easily made from household items that are unnecessary and available funds at hand.

So, a mailbox made from a plastic bottle is perfect for those who receive a small amount of press. A huge plus is that its creation and installation will not take much time, money or special effort.

A wonderful mailbox can be made from antique watch with a cuckoo To do this, you will only need to disassemble this watch and attach the front side to an ordinary wooden box. The place where the cuckoo once jumped out will be used by postmen to place the press.

If you have an old unnecessary one system unit from your computer, then make a mailbox out of it. To do this, you just need to gut all the insides of the system unit and place it on some kind of wooden or other sufficiently strong support.

The postal version can also be safely built from cardboard, the main thing is that the material is durable. When creating such a structure, it is necessary to take into account its location.

Installation methods

People are most interested in installing traditional mailboxes. The most common installation methods are:

Installation on the fence. For this type of installation, you must first make 2 cuts on the back of the box, through which the metal clamps necessary for fastening will be threaded. You need to level it by tightening the clamps.
Installation on any hard surface. Very often you can see that mailboxes are installed on metal or wooden gates. In order to carry out such an installation, it is necessary to prepare in advance a certain number of holes not only on the back panel of the box itself, but also on the gate. The finished product should be secured with nuts and bolts.
Wall mounting. In order to produce it, you should make 2 holes, both on the product itself and on the wall. The structure should be secured with dowels.

Having a great desire and a certain amount of free time, every owner can easily make a mailbox with his own hands, without the help of professionals.