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A cedar mailbox post with decorative corbels, joined with half-laps and biscuits and finished with boiled linseed oil.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main post Cut extra length past any drying checks at the ends. | 1 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 96" | 4x4 cedar | ☐ |
| Corbel blanks | 4 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 18" | 4x4 cedar | ☐ |
| Mailbox mounting arm | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 24" | 2x4 cedar | ☐ |
| Decorative cap boards | 3 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 24" | 2x6 cedar | ☐ |
| Trim cap | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 24" | 1x6 cedar | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar, 4x4, 10 ft Main post — allow extra length to cut past any drying checks. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 4x4, 6 ft Corbels. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 2x4, 8 ft Mailbox mounting arm. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 2x6, 6 ft Decorative cap boards. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 1x6, 6 ft Trim cap. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Deck screws, 3" | 30 each | ☐ |
| Glue biscuits, #20 | 12 each | ☐ |
| Titebond III glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
| Boiled linseed oil | 16 oz | ☐ |
| Mineral spirits Thins the linseed oil for finishing. | 8 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Table Saw. Materials: Cedar, 4x4, 10 ft, Cedar, 4x4, 6 ft
Cut the 4x4 post to length, leaving extra at the ends to trim past any drying checks. Cut the corbel blanks from the shorter 4x4.
Tools: Table Saw
Lay out and cut half-lap joints where the post and corbels join, checking the fit before gluing anything.
Tools: Router
Rout a 1/2in radius cove profile along the decorative edges of each corbel.
Tools: Bar / Pipe Clamps, Domino / Biscuit Joiner. Materials: Cedar, 4x4, 6 ft, Glue biscuits, #20, Titebond III glue
Glue the half-lap joints with Titebond III and reinforce each with biscuits, clamping until cured.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar, 2x4, 8 ft, Cedar, 2x6, 6 ft, Cedar, 1x6, 6 ft, Deck screws, 3"
Assemble the post, corbels, and mailbox mounting arm with deck screws.
Materials: Boiled linseed oil, Mineral spirits
Finish with boiled linseed oil thinned with mineral spirits, applied in thin coats so it soaks in rather than sitting on the surface.