Our mailbox saga started about a year ago when a drunk teenager took out our previous mailbox by driving over it. We replaced it with a metal one that looks similar to the one in the video, and I installed it in a manner similar to the video. Measuring, leveling and using similar clamps to hold the post in place while the concrete would set. I started with some gravel in the hole. Since the metal post is hollow, I had an ordinary brick underneath it to help keep it at the correct height while I was getting everything else done. Then a bag of quick-set, and then finally a bunch of water. Then this week a landscaper in the neighborhood whacked the new mailbox (probably with his side mirror). He did have the decency to ring the doorbell (we could see it on the doorbell camera), but we weren't home. The metal mailbox was bent out of shape - ours is a sturdy aluminum, and I had to remove the base of the box proper to hammer it flat again. But the post itself was now loose in the ground, which seemed odd (I would have expected the concrete to have held it firm). But I then noticed a big chunk of concrete on the surface next to it, so the landscaper must have completely knocked the thing out of the ground, and he did an ass/2 job of sticking the thing in the ground again. So I expect I will need another bag of concrete to re-do that part of the job - and that's what led me to this video. The real question I had was one bag or two. In the video it appears he used only one. So that's my project for the weekend, I guess.
I'm sorry to hear about this problem you had. I used one bag of concrete, but if you dig a deeper hole you will need more. I recommend getting 2 bags just in case and returning one if you don't open it.
Great Job 👍👍 Is the metal post hallow? The reason I'm asking is that I already have a round metal post in concreat, and want to slide the new post over the existing smaller post....and then I'll secure it.
It is hollow, but there is a metal plate covering the top for the bolts. The inside will slide over a 4x4, so if your pole is smaller than a 4x4 this should fit.
I have a metal post. If I live in a place with a lot of frost I would have added a 4x4 to go deeper. And as you said I would have put gravel below the wood post so it doesn't come in contact with the soil.
Your not doing the concrete correctly. It'll be brittle and weak if not mixed. The concrete around the outside will harden a bit, but the center will not get enough water even if you let it soak for days since not enough water mixes into it. This is only slightly better than just using plain soil.
He is doing it fine. One can do both, either pour the cement in and add water or mix it before. I will say that people I have chatted with prefer to mix it by hand in a wheelbarrow or such and it does say this on the instructions a person can do either or.
