Hinging the Access Cover

Our wintertizing valve access bay was covered with a panel that was mounted with four screws. I’ve always thought that there might be a better way and finally got around to making the improvement today.

Here are the steps that I followed:

I removed the paneling drew a vertical line 1/8 of an inch and 3/4 of an inch from the left edge.
I measured 2.5″ down from the top and the bottom and drew a small intersecting line across the vertical line.
I drilled a small pilot hole with a 1/16″ drill bit at each intersection.
I then inserted a 1-3/8″ Forstner bit in to the pilot hole and created the hole for the pocket hinge.
I then inserted the hinge in the hole and lined it up with the 1/8″ line.
I made a hole with a 1/16″ drill bit in the center of each hinge screw holes.
I screwed the hinges to the panel.
I then inserted a couple of bumpers into the original holes on the rear of the panel and inserted some black #10 1/2″ screws in to the holes on the front side with a small dab of caulk to hold them in place. I decided to use the screws to give the impression that the panel was still secured and not easily accessible storage.
I headed to the van and held the door at the desired height and made marks with a sharpie on the plastic moulding at the top and bottom of each hinge.
I then cut the front and the back of the moulding inside each mark and then trimmed off the piece on the front and rear to accommodate the width of the hinge.
I then patched the holes in the cabinet with a patching stick.
I then held the door in place and marked the moulding where the screw hole met it. I drilled a hole in the center of each mark.
I then screwed the hinges into place.
I then cleaned up the marks on the panel and the frame with a Mr. Clean eraser.