To get the full plans and directions for building these Wall Mail Box CLICK HERE
IF YOU are away from home during the day or you go away on short trips for several days at a time, it is advisable to install a built-in mail box to assure the safety of your mail. For the deposit of mail the wall compartment has a slot in the outside of the house, and for the withdrawal of mail it has a door on the inside wall. The convenience of the built-in mail box will be appreciated at all times, but in cold weather it will be especially welcome.
To provide this convenience, first buy an outside mail box plate and decide on the location for the plate. From 40″ to 42″ is a good height. Then choose a spot that you know is between two wall studs. Frame houses of single-siding construction show where the studs are, as the nails used to secure the siding are driven into the studs. If the house is of double construction these nails are no indication of the stud locations. It may be possible to check on the location to see if it is clear of studs by working on the inside wall. A series of small holes drilled through the plaster directly above the baseboard will determine if a stud is likely to interfere. Start cutting through the lath and plaster from the inside. This method is advisable, because you may have missed the stud location, and it would be much easier to rectify a mistake on the inside wall than on the outside. Mark the opening on the inside wall about 20″ high. This area should be located so the outside slot will come near the top. Knock away all plaster in this area and cut out the lath. In-stall 2×4 headers at top and bottom of the area. The top one keeps out dust; the bottom one catches the mail at the level of the door.
To cover the opening, cut a piece of 1/4″ plywood to size. Make an opening for the door and apply a frame around this opening as shown. Bevel strips of lath and nail them to one side of the plywood panel. Install the panel over the opening. Now you can plaster the panel in the usual way, building it up to the surface of the surrounding wall. The plaster, being well keyed into the beveled lath, will be permanent. Paint or wallpaper can be applied to match the rest of the wall.
To get the full plans and directions for building these Wall Mail Box CLICK HERE
