Do-It-Yourself "Swingaway" Mailbox

Do-It-Yourself Swingaway Mailbox FARM HOME Miscellaneous “My swingaway mailbox stand has served me for 20 years with no problems It allows the mailbox to swing out of the way if it’s hit and then automatically return to normal ” says Gene Ramsey Raphine Va The mailbox stand is made from a short length of 1-in ID pipe that forms the main vertical support with another length of the same size pipe welded to it at a 45 degree angle A pipe cap is screwed onto the end of the pipe A 1 1/4-in ID pipe fits loosely over the angled 1-in pipe and is welded to another 1-in ID angled pipe forming a T-shaped fitting that can swing freely The T-shaped fitting in turn is welded to a horizontal pipe that supports the mailbox The mailbox is screwed to a 1/8 by 3/4-in steel plate “It eliminates damage to mailboxes caused by snowplows or vandals ” says Ramsey “I’ve bumped it twice with no damage to my vehicle or the mailbox One time I saw a stake-bodied truck that was forced to the side of the road by oncoming traffic strike it at high speed again with no damage It just swings to the side and falls back in place due to gravity “Pipe fittings could be used instead of welding as long as the ‘T’ fitting can swing freely The screw-on pipe cap allows disassembly without having to dig up the support post I recommend using 1-in ID pipe for the main vertical support because it’s strong but is easily bent if it ever gets hit It’s cheaper to repair the post than to repair the vehicle You might want to plug the pipe that supports the mailbox in order to discourage wasps ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Gene Ramsey 1144 Goose Creek Rd Raphine Va 24472 generamsey2@gmail com

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