Flush Access Panel

[encino_]

I'm plastering around a false fireplace wall, and I want part of the side to be able to be accessed in case the gas or electrical isolation switch for the heater ever needs to be reached.
I want to make some sort of door that is completely flush and barely noticeable.. and spring loaded so you can press to open, and remove the whole panel if necessary.
I was thinking maybe plaster all around the opening and finish that off, then make a MDF door with plaster on it, and mount it so it's flush. Although I'm not sure if that will look as concealed as I imagine though, with hinges and that. I do not want any architrave around the door.
Any ideas for construction, and also where can I get concealed hinges and spring loaded mechanisms etc would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

[Tools]

You can buy them ready made and all you need to do is screw them in and stop up. Plaster suppliers have them and they are made by trafalgar.

Tools

[encino_]

Cheers, yeah I saw some similar to those but I wanted a custom size, rectangular rather than square.
Is this the type? Maybe I can buy one and alter the frame?

http://www.trafalgarbp.com.au/PRODUCTS/AccessPanels/NonRated/TipLatchFEWW/tabid/412/Default.aspx

[rod@plasterbrok]

Encino It is not possible to resize the flush finished frame.

You can make up your own quite easy though.

You will need to buy the latches and hinges.

For the perimiter just use stopping angle. Then cut an MDF pannel to size attach the hinges and latches and you have a flush finished access pannel to whatever size you want.

Cheers Rod

[cmore_2]

There s many different ways to do it.
get some flat skim bead around the hole this way you don t get chips and its a better finish. you can get joiner finish hinges and push and lock and push and open locks mdf is good because you can make what ever shape you want and it can paint up pretty well too:2tsup:

[rod@plasterbrok]

stopping angle = flat skim bead - different terminologly.

[encino_]

Thanks guys!
Any ideas what the actual latches and hinges/mechanisms etc are called so I can source them from a cabinet suplier?

[rod@plasterbrok]

Sorry encino i'm just a plasterer!!

[MrFixIt]

Hi

Thanks guys!
Any ideas what the actual latches and hinges/mechanisms etc are called so I can source them from a cabinet suplier?

A much SIMPLER idea and the method I used when I wanted a similar flush panel to hide a pc network and router, was to use magnetic catches.

I cut the square opening (carefully) with a jigsaw. I then mounted a magnetic catch on either side of the opening. I used a small block of wood attached to the inside of the gyprock and then attached the catches to these blocks and stuck the "matching" catch plates on to the cover of the opening.

I mounted these catches a little below the centreline of the opening, so that all I had to do was press on the upper edge of the cover and it would pivot out at the bottom and away from the catches, making it so easy to lift the cover away from the opening.

BTW. The cover for the opening was the piece of gyprock I cut out to create the opening. There was a gap of approx 1.5mm all the way around. This was ok for my needs. If you want to make your cover with even less gap then the method described should still work for you. :U

This worked exceptionally wll for me :2tsup: :2tsup:

.