Pedestal for Santa Mail 3D Box

Elevate the "Santa Mail 3D Box" project for visibility 

and visual impact by assembling and attaching 

this platform stand with pair of post legs. 

Two tier wide platform has side and top panel accents, 

with optional post gap-crossing emblem bracket 

featuring "S" monogram (for Santa). 

Box-style top platform duplicates the base "box" 

of Mail Box design, with post openings 

and interior collar supports. 

Stand post paper shapes wrap snugly around 

1.25" diameter wood dowel pieces cut to size 

for stand strength (which add weight for stability). 

Base and legs measure approx. 

5.5" tall x 7.25" wide x 4.375" deep. 

(Mail Box on pedestal measures approx. 16" tall.)

ASSEMBLY:  1. Identify and cut the shapes:
AA reinforcement support struts for platform box
(only 2 of non-tab shape is required)
BB cross brace with emblem
S main platform shape with accent overlay
T post anchor collar build up (2 sets of 8 each)
U main platform boxing strips with accent overlays
V main platform base build up (6-7) with top overlay
W second platform shape with boxing add-on strip
X post shapes (2)
Y top platform cover (for mailbox interior)
Z top platform "box"

NOT SHOWN in layout above: petal attachment collars (4)

and "aa" platform 2 support struts (2)

2. Layer and attach the base shapes, with contrast
top and bottom shapes as desired, taking care
to match up cut edges precisely. If using liquid
adhesive, it is highly recommended that . . . 

. . . this stack be pressed under a heavy flat weight

as shown here (with a different stack shape) 

to help it remain flat and straight until dry,

and avoid warping or curling.

3. Layer the collar rings into two stacks, and glue together.

Press under a flat weight as described above

while liquid glue dries thoroughly.

4. Prepare the main base shape by bending

back on the "boxing" panel perforation lines

near vertical center.

NOTE that panel with slots is TOP of platform.

Also prepare the long and short boxing strips

by bending back on all flange and panel perf lines.

5. Position and attach the accent shapes
while the platform and boxing strips are flat.

6. Position and attach each of the anchor ring

stacks on the inside of platform shape,

taking care that hexagon interior opening

edges of each are lined up precisely.

7. Join the short boxing strip to the free end of

the longer boxing strip, so that the longest segment

 is centered between two shorter segments

on each end.

8. Position the long segment on the outside center

edge of the platform main shape, align and adjust,

then attach flange under platform edge.

9. Bend the boxing ends into position to attach
each short segment to corresponding platform
edges as shown, tucking under the end tab
and attaching it to the boxing (attached) edge.
Complete attachment of both ends of 
platform boxing strips.
NOTE: bottom of platform remains unattached
at this point of assembly.

10. Prepare the second platform shapes by

bending back on panel and tab/flange perforation lines.

NOTE: some of the downward extensions may

appear to be tabs but are actually supports

and must NOT be bent.

11. Join the separate boxing strip end to

attached end by overlapping straight edge

to tab perf line.

12. Bend the boxing top tab/flanges inward, then
bend the boxing walls into position with tabs
under the platform top panel, and attach each
segment in place. As final segments are positioned,
to be glued into place, tuck tab under 
opposite straight edge and join the end seam.

13. Prepare the support struts by bending back

top and bottom flanges.

Orient strips so that center slot is upward on

one and downward on the other, then

slot the two together in an 'X' formation.

14. Position the 'X' support on the underside
of the platform next to hex openings 
(so that extensions won't interfere
with insertion of posts in subsequent steps) . . .

. . . and attach flanges in place.

15. Insert platform 2 tabs and supports through

corresponding slots on top panel of base platform

then underneath . . . 

. . . bend the tabs only back and attach in place.

Support tabs that don't have perforations

should remain extended through interior space.

16. Bend the base platform edge flange tabs inward,

apply glue, then . . . 

. . . bend the bottom panel into position,

and adjust edges to line up with boxing flanges,

as each is glued in place.

Use hex holes as access to help with attachment.

17. Prepare the post "cover" shapes

by bending back on each vertical perforation

and for each top edge tab.

18. Using the 1.25" diameter wooden dowel

as press-against shape, wrap the post shape

around to overlap straight edge over opposite

flange, snug the seam edges together so that

edge reaches the perforation line, and apply

pressure up and down the seam until secure.

Repeat to prepare two posts.

19. Measure the dowel lengths to cut to size

by bending top tabs back, pushing dowel end

to line up at top end, and marking bottom with pencil.

Cut a dowel length insert for each of 2 posts.

20. Push the dowel out of the post tube to
apply adhesive on ends, then re-insert fully
to attach tube to dowel.

21. Insert bottom (non-tabbed) end of post

through second platform hex opening . . . 

. . . and through collar to bottom of platform,

then edge back a bit so that glue can be applied

to the thick edge of the collar build up.

22. Push post back into position and brace while

glue dries. Repeat for second post.

23. To assist with post connection to platform
assembly, prepare the petal (half) collars by bending
forward along petal perforation lines,
back along vertical section perf lines.
Apply adhesive to complete backside,
then position the collar half with tall portion
wrapping around the post, short petals joining
to the top of platform 2. Repeat for the second
half collar, and for both posts.

24. Apply glue to the bottom of the platform,

then position, centered, onto top of base shape

and attach in place. HINT: it may be helpful

to place weights onto platform to assist with

pressure while this attachment is drying.

25. Prepare the top platform "box" by bending

back on all panel, flange and tab perforation lines.

Also push the hex interior tabs inward.

26. Prepare the collar platform supports by

bending back on vertical perforation lines,

bending top and bottom tabs outward.

27. Form the collar shape into a tube and

complete the side seam.

28. Position the collar over the bottom panel so that

hex opening edges align at platform hexagon

perforation array, then attach in place.

Repeat for second collar and hex opening.

29. Apply adhesive to the remaining collar tabs,

to the platform inner walls, then fold/close the box

fully and apply pressure to join box sides, collar tabs

to top, etc.

30. Position platform over top of posts and

carefully insert post tops through hex openings

(apply adhesive to hex opening tabs first)

until tabs are fully through, then . . . 

. . . bend tabs outward and glue in place.

31. Prepare the cross brace and emblem

using cut shapes shown here.

Layer the discs so that cutouts align precisely.

Layer 'S' upper overlay onto base.

Finally, position and attach disc assembly over

brace shape, 'S' centered over disc.

32. Position cross brace approx. half way up
posts, with brace strip perforations bent back
and aligning with angles of post cover on both ends.
Glue together brace surfaces to post where they touch.

33. Apply glue to the platform walls.

Insert the completed mail box hull and dome assembly

over the top of the platform, slide down until

bottom edges of both are flush, then apply pressure

to attach securely.

Here is the completed mail box on its pedestal.