[TheForge] mailbox

[Jerry Frost]

There've been a number of suggestions to solve this problem, some good, some 
a lot of fun to contemplate but not a good idea to do.

The real world thing you have to remember is liability. If you put something 
in the "right of way" you ARE liable for any and all damages resulting. If 
your mailbox breaks the plow truck YOU will be paying for the repairs. A 
mailbox is also considered federal property so placing a dye bomb in it is 
likely to see you in prison, whether it's the postman gets dyed or not.

On the other hand, armoring it up to withstand vandals and the outwash from 
snow plows is alright as long as you take reasonable care to not cause 
damage. The best way to make the "good faith effort" is to put in a swinging 
or pivoting mechanism as has been described. In "Dept Of Transportation" 
parlance a "breakaway design."

When you can demonstrate to any and all the mailbox gives easily under 
impact you are pretty much safe from litigation. Building the box from 1/4" 
T-1 armor steel is perfectly legal, as long as it's a breakaway design.

 Then hopefully your not too bright vandals will complain to the authorities 
when their ball bat bounces back and clouts them one. It's a federal offence 
to damage mailboxes; they ARE federal property you know. <grin>

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walter Mullett" <wmullett at bright.net>
To: "'Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 6:58 AM
Subject: [TheForge] mailbox


> Well, my mailbox took a hit again last night.  This happens about once 
> every
> two months.  I think it's a neighbor that I had a run in with.  I wish I
> could catch him but my house is 500' off the road and hidden from that 
> area.
>
> Rather than buying new every time, I've got two boxes that I've been
> swapping when they get bashed and straightening them back up using my 
> sheet
> metal tools.  I replaced the cheap plastic handle and clasp with forged
> ones.  I've got a new molded plastic unit in the barn but I really hate 
> the
> look of these and if the vandal can smash this one, it wont be repairable.
>
> Usually the idiot just smashes the box down it the middle.  Probably uses 
> a
> bat.  This time he hit it full width and blew the back partway off.
>
> Looks like it's time to come up with a nice design in steel.  I just don't
> want a clunky welded up box.
>
> Walt
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