| Building a Stone Column Mailbox: Laying Block and Inserting Ties and Notches for Boxes |
From "Weekend Remodeling"
episode WKR-102 |
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Materials: Two 80 lb. bags Quikrete
Eight 18" No. 4 rebars
Six 12" x 16" cinder blocks
Two 12" x 16" solid caps
2 mortar bags
2 pallets stone (4" thick pieces)
16 brick ties
6 bags of type S mortar
Mailbox
Newspaper holder (round ceramic chimney flue used in show)
Light fixture
Tape measure
Fluorescent marking paint
100 ft. underground non-metallic building electrical wire
Electrical box and switch
Ditch digger (rental)
Shovel
Hoe
Masonry hammer
2' square of plywood
Level
Framing square
String
Grinder with masonry blade
Additional masonry tools
Additional electrical tools
Sand (enough sand to mix the appropriate amount of type S mortar for the job) - Mark off a 24-inch square that will be the finished mailbox.
- Use the straight edge of a level to make a mark parallel to the road (figure A) and use framing squares to mark the corners.
- Lay out a 12" x 16" block in the center -- with the long side facing the street. Mark it on the footer to use as a guide for setting the first layer of mortar (figure B).
Note: It is critical to get the first block level -- you do not want a leaning mailbox. - Mud the block (figure C).
- Carefully set the next block in place and tamp the areas where necessary to level things up. Take your time making sure everything lines up (figure D). You do not want to hurry through this job.
- Insert wall ties that will help support the stones later on (figure E).
Expert Tip: Wall ties are installed during the construction process in the masonry joints. The ties will adhere the stones to the cinder block wall and ensure that it will not pull away over time. - Continue laying blocks -- making sure they are all level.
- Set a 12 x 16 x 14 cap block to serve as the base for the newspaper holder and mailbox.
Expert Tip: An easy way to keep your block level when you are laying it is to place a three-foot carpenter's level across the top of each one as you set it in the mortar. That way you can see at a glance when the block is properly set. - Set newspaper holder (round ceramic chimney flue) in the middle of the cap block and measure it to the edges (figure F).
- Notch out the cinder blocks for the boxes by cutting the ends toward the paper holder. Set them on the cap block placing the cut ends toward the paper holder (figure G).
- Add mortar around the holder and keep it in place.
- Set another 4-inch cap block in place -- this block will be the base for the mailbox.
- Cut the cinder block the same as before, but this time set them on their ends to clear the height of the mailbox (figure H). When the mortar sets up you will have a sturdy base to set the stones around.
Expert Tip: After constructing a cinder block wall, you should let the mortar cure at least overnight prior to adding any more weight -- such as face brick, or stone to the structure.
RESOURCES :
Masonry Skills
Model: 0827371764
Author: Richard T. Kreh
(January, 1997 -- 4th Edition)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Delmar Learning
Building with Masonry: Brick, Block and Concrete
Model: 156158228X
Author: Richard T. Kreh
(November, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
The Art and Craft of Stonework
Model: 1579902189
Author: David Reed
(March, 2002)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Lark Books / Altamont Press
Website: www.larkbooks.com
Fieldstone (Castone LLC)
Castone LLC
Website: www.castone.org
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