I need an idea to use PO Box doors

[gjat]

I've got a dozen of those brass post office box doors I picked up at a flea market. They have a combination and I want to use them to make some sort of box for my neices and nephews. I need to make at least 7, so I want it to be quick. I've got some free oak, mahogany and a good bit of different veneers (and of course, pine). Any cool ideas?

[TheRic]

A bank! My dad has one he got as a gift (use to be a rural mail carrier). The door is the sixth side of a box. Have seen them where the door is on top and slot was in it. Have seen it where the door is on the side / front. I think it depends on the door, and the size you want to make.

[MilDoc]

Have to second TheRic's answer.They make great looking banks, especially with dark wood like mahogany. I had one once. But the burglars who broke in loved it so much they stole it too!

[jdschulteis]

There's a plan for a coin bank using a PO box door in the first issue of Woodcraft Magazine:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5990

[Ken Massingale]

http://www.architecturals.net/artisans/Photos%2F10110%2FCherryPObank2.jpg

[gjat]

Thank you all. Banks are what I'll make. I guess I was trying to be too fancy and use up some of the small veneer I got for next to nothing a year ago.

[Pappy]

QS White Oak sets off the brass door great. Any idea how to change the combination on these thing?

[cabinetman]

Have to second TheRic's answer.They make great looking banks, especially with dark wood like mahogany. I had one once. But the burglars who broke in loved it so much they stole it too!

Paul

Were they called "bank robbers"?



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[gjat]

You can change the combination quite easily, by moving the pins, though to set the combination to certain letters is much more difficult. I'd have to have a combo in front of me. For example, if the 3rd (last) pin-dial is fixed to the front dial, you may be able to orientatate it to the 3rd letter you wanted and work your way backwards by moving the pins. I thought about doing that but too much trouble. If you use initials, everyone could open it and it's not secure. Kids won't want that. They need to think it's secret.