How Can I Make a Tough Mailbox?

Dig out an 18-inch deep hole in the ground where you want to install the mailbox. Make it large enough to fit four cement blocks inside. Keep the walls straight, and level the floor with a tamp.

Place the cement blocks inside the hole. Mix up some mortar to the consistency of thick mud. Apply the mortar between the blocks with a trowel to hold them in place.

Apply a ¼-inch thick layer of mortar to the edges of the cement blocks. Line the blocks with a border of bricks. Hold the bricks together with additional mortar. Continue adding a brick border until the bricks sit just above ground level.

Add another layer of cement blocks on top of the first four blocks. Continue to lay the blocks inside the bricks and layer bricks around the blocks until the bricks are about 3 1/2 feet high.

Apply a ¼-inch thick layer of mortar over the top of the bricks and cement blocks. Fit a plastic mailbox onto the bricks. Make sure the mailbox sticks out from the bricks by about 1/2 of an inch. This gives the door enough space to open and close.

Place a layer of mortar around the top of the mailbox. Box in the mailbox with additional bricks. If the top of the mailbox is rounded, you will have to angle the bricks up around the top of the box in a circular shape. Fill in any gaps with mortar.

Wipe away any excess mortar with a damp cloth. Allow the mailbox to dry for 48 hours before using it.