Hatch

I had a hole in my garage wall after some electrical work. I thought there may be a reason to access this work later, so I didn't have the contractor patch the sheetrock. I made a hatch for it.

The hatch has a frame that is installed behind the sheetrock and a frame in front of it. The frames, when screwed together, grasp the sheetrock, so you do not have to find a stud to screw it into. The holes are sized for #8 wood screws. The length of the screws will be dependent on the thickness of the sheetrock, but 1-1/4" worked for me.

I built many of the parts in a vertical orientation to prevent the hole for the hinge pin from filling up with supports. (see images) The hinge pin is a straight piece of a metal coat hanger.

When you insert the hinge pin:

1. slide it all the way through the door and the front plate, until it is flush with the opposite end of the hinge pin holes of both parts
2. mark the end that is sticking out, so you can trim it to length with wire cutters
3. remove it a