It is time to lace up my boots, get my game face on, and do something constructive. My project is to assist Amanda Wright, owner of Cary based Wit & Whistle, with an issue in her business. Follow the link to see the groovy products this growing company develops and markets. Amanda is the creative genius behind all of it. Shipping is a key segment in the business plan and Amanda needs a reliable mailbox.
The current mailbox at Amanda’s is old and wobbly. I can relate. I feel that way some mornings. We will replace this unit with a permanent post and a sturdy metal box.
Out with the old! Sometimes a swift kick is the right solution to a problem. To be blunt, I encounter many people in a week that could use one or more of these. And you people know who you are!
Amanda showed good form, maintained her balance, and delivered the final kick that loosened the post.
Next step is to introduce the work crew to Mr. Post Hole Digger. He is clearly the right tool for the job.
The tool is a classic with its own history. It belonged to my Grandpa, then my Dad. I have used it for years and now the generations continue with a new set of hands. Pop and Dad would love to watch Amanda at work. She did a good job bringing up several loads of beautiful Cary clay.
For a solid installation we need to go deep. I estimated we want a 26-28 inch hole. We were at 24” at this point so more digging is needed.
I hope Amanda never grows up. Her curiosity still drives her to try some strange things. We stopped the job so she could put her arm in the hole and try to touch the bottom. Why? Because the hole was there.
I am on my knees now for the toughest part of the digging. This position is a good one for many of life’s difficult situations. God answers prayer and time invested on our knees is always worthwhile. Give it a try. Drop me an email and let me know if I can pray about your current life challenge.
At last the hole has reached the bottom. We can insert the post. Note my form as I address the post then make a hole in one.
The post must be level in two directions. We added a little dirt around the bottom to make this step easier. Here’s a tip – continue to verify the level in the next steps.
Amanda added dry concrete to the hole. It is not necessary to add water. Simply dump the mix into the hole and tamp vigorously. Moisture in the soil will do the rest.
Layer by layer we added dirt to the hole and tamped. I use a section of 2×2 as the tamping rod although I am sure a fancier tamper could be purchased.
The new post is stable, ready for the box.
The mailbox is wider than the 4×4 ledge where it will rest. We used a fence picket to make supports. Amanda measured the open space on the bottom of the mailbox and we cut boards using a circular saw.
She checked the fit as we want the box to drop gently into place.
We are ready to mount the supports using 1 1/4” deck screws to eliminate predrilling. Install the screws slowly to prevent splits in the boards.
The platform is ready and the mailbox can be placed in its new location.
Amanda used 1 1/4” deck screws through the existing holes in the box to fasten it to the support platform.
The job is done. Easy as 3.1416.
I have one more step. I need to mail a card and test the system. And of course, I have to use stationery from Wit & Whistle.
I would like to thank my photographer, Shawn Nichols. Without her these blogs would just be words.
I just came from your lovely daughter’s blog (whom I love)- this was so fun to read!
Thank you, Christina. As you can imagine watching Amanda grow and do her thing is a great source of joy for me. I love to team with her and her sister on projects.
[…] morning to help me install a humongous mailbox. I don’t know what I’d do without them! Visit my dad’s blog for the mailbox installation tutorial and some photos of the process (and of me clumsily trying to […]