26
votes
Accepted
How to remove screws deep in a mailbox that has a stripped head
Probably need to "think outside the box" a bit.
Will the existing mailbox be disposed after it is removed? Then don't worry about removing it delicately. Pick up a claw hammer, tin snips, a ...
- 30.6k
25
votes
How to remove screws deep in a mailbox that has a stripped head
After removing other 3 screws, try twisting the whole mailbox counterclockwise while pulling up - it might loosen the screw.
You can also use the old fashion method:
Take a blade from metal saw, wrap ...
- 535
15
votes
How can I repair a snapped 4x4 mailbox post without digging out the footing?
Ground screw.
source
Screw this down through the old wood post. The depicted ground screw is 27 inches but I am sure you can find others if that is too long. The screw will be anchored in the old ...
- 6,593
14
votes
Accepted
Will old anchor holes in a concrete slab reduce its useful life?
The concrete looks intact enough for re-use, I can't see if the anchor bolts are good or not, if they can't be reused getting old anchors out of concrete can be tricky: you might have to move your ...
- 20.8k
14
votes
Detecting mail in the mailbox, too far for WIFI
I have two suggestions that seem, to me, to be very simple:
Walk to the mailbox to check for mail. Very few people get enough exercise, so a few extra laps will, most likely, be beneficial. Of course,...
- 47.3k
14
votes
Will old anchor holes in a concrete slab reduce its useful life?
If you wanted to keep the post centered in it's current location, you could rotate the post 45 degrees and re-drill in place. You might not even need to do anything to the old bolts, as it's unlikely ...
- 426
12
votes
Mailbox Lock - removing tailpiece without locknut
Slide the U-channel straight up by maneuvering a flat blade screwdriver between its tab and the lock casing and manipulating it. Now you have a U-channel in your hand, and the lock is loosy goosy.
...
12
votes
How to remove screws deep in a mailbox that has a stripped head
Using a cutoff disk in a Dremel (or similar rotary) tool you could cut a slot for a flathead screw driver, or cut off two of the rounded sides of the head to make grabbing it with a wrench (if you're ...
- 214k
10
votes
Detecting mail in the mailbox, too far for WIFI
This driveway alert is what I use. Put the sensor in the box, and it will beep when the mail carrier opens the door. My mailbox is 600 feet away.
- 556
10
votes
How can I repair a snapped 4x4 mailbox post without digging out the footing?
If it broke off below grade, you can fill in the original hole and use a drive-in stake anchor for a new post in a new spot.
As long as you have the ability to move left or right a foot or so, this ...
- 2,469
10
votes
How can I repair a snapped 4x4 mailbox post without digging out the footing?
This might be overkill, but it does solve the "no re-pour" requirement
Get some concrete and a single post tie designed to be put into concrete (i.e. for decking). You can typically find ...
- 24.7k
10
votes
How to remove screws deep in a mailbox that has a stripped head
At this point, I'd be thinking about grinding the head of the screw away and then using some vice grips to remove the screw.
- 80.5k
10
votes
How to remove screws deep in a mailbox that has a stripped head
Does the mailbox have a lip over the wood it's screwed into? If not, you can try taking a metal hacksaw blade off of the saw (maybe hold with vicegrips), slip between the mailbox and the base, and saw ...
- 243
9
votes
Fixing a wobbly, leaning mailbox
Start by removing the mailbox from whatever it is supported by - the plastic mailbox "post" is a sleeve that's set over some actual post. It may just slip on (so you can just lift it off) or ...
- 214k
9
votes
How can I repair a snapped 4x4 mailbox post without digging out the footing?
I had the exact same problem. I got a 6 foot dig bar and just chopped the heck out of the 12 inches of wood remaining in the square hole and was able to remove all of the wood. I got a new 4x4, cut it ...
- 80.5k
9
votes
Concrete base for parcel box
Size will be an opinion mainly, but at least 5 to 8 cm(WxL) bigger than the box and about 8cm deep/thick.
Anchor bolts should be easy to use to anchor the box and will make the box easy to remove for ...
- 24.3k
8
votes
Detecting mail in the mailbox, too far for WIFI
There's a very simple, non-electronic solution to this.
A large, typically spring-loaded (could also be gravity/counterweighted) flap or flag, (can't make the mailbox too hard to open or you violate ...
- 214k
7
votes
Concrete base for parcel box
The depth depends on your regional frost line. For europe we have 80-150cm (varies wildly per source, depends on your location) frost line. That means, to avoid frost-heave, the textbook says the ...
- 3,074
6
votes
Accepted
Convert Front Door Entry Mailbox to a Front & Rear Door Entry Mailbox
What you're going to want to do is this:
That back of the mail box is going to be crimped on in such a way that it can't be removed without cutting the back of the mailbox off. This would leave ...
- 27.9k
6
votes
Detecting mail in the mailbox, too far for WIFI
There are rf-solutions that have further range than wifi though at lower bandwidth (not an issue for a yes/no issue like yours). For example LoRa, individual modules are available that you could work ...
- 12k
5
votes
Accepted
What's the (current) process for getting Arrow locks fitted by USPS?
Happened to spot our regular USPS carrier delivering today's mail, and flagged him down to pepper him with the same questions I posted here.
The USPS will install Arrow locks, on request, free of ...
- 233
5
votes
Big hole in front of mailbox from mail truck how can I fill it?
Not dirt, ideally. But you can use dirt if you can't get better material.
Better material would be crushed rock, ideally the sort that has all the fine dust from crushing still in it. Rock without ...
- 214k
5
votes
Will old anchor holes in a concrete slab reduce its useful life?
One thing that might work well is to get some hard rapid-set mortar (they make them in smaller packages for patch jobs like this). The old bolts can be drilled out of their holes (use a metal-drilling ...
- 24.7k
5
votes
Will old anchor holes in a concrete slab reduce its useful life?
Inspect the anchors a little more closely. If they're the drive-in wedge type similar to the RED HEAD brand shown here (photo credit to Grainger), and if the installation hole was drilled clear ...
- 30.6k
5
votes
How to remove screws deep in a mailbox that has a stripped head
You could try using a 90° drill attachment in an impact driver. I've done this quite a few times getting screws out that otherwise would have needed to be cut off with a grinder.
To tackle this you ...
- 3,051
4
votes
Accepted
How to remove embedded mailbox in wall?
If the current flap is still intact on the outside and you can remove the grille on the inside, you could fill the void with expanding foam, which would stop the draft. Carve back the foam on the ...
- 35.1k
4
votes
How to enlarge lock hole (small mailbox)?
I would search for "mailbox locks" on your favorite search engine and don't forget to go on line and check at Home Depot, Lowes and Ace Hardware. They have locks that may replace the lock you had to ...
- 12.4k
4
votes
How can I repair a snapped 4x4 mailbox post without digging out the footing?
For what it's worth. You are only borrowing trouble if you don't remove the old post. The trick to removing a post is that you do not dig it out. You attach a jack to it and pull it out.
Your ...
4
votes
Accepted
How can I repair a snapped 4x4 mailbox post without digging out the footing?
THIS ANSWER IS WRONG! I misread the question as the 4x4 having broken 6 inch ABOVE the ground...
With 6'' (15cm) above the ground remaining (assuming that those 6 inch are solid and you already ...
- 156
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible