What tools are you guys useing when you install in-cieling speakers in plaster ceilings with wire lath. I find the sawzall jumps around a lot a causes the plaster to crack. A chisel and tin snips takes a long time. Is there a easier way?

You MUST score the cutout line first with a utility knife to avoid cracking the plaster outside the perimeter, and the blade must be very sharp. After that, it depends on the state of the site. If it's under construction & mess isn't as issue, I whack it with a hammer. The plaster will break along the score. Then I use tin snips to remove the lath. If the cutouts are square, you can use a grinder, but it will turn the whole room white with dust.

If it's a finished room, I use a VERY fine-tooth shark saw & cut just inside the score while holding a large box or vacuum hose to catch the dust. It'll take awhile, but the result is clean. And always cut on the push, never on the pull. You cannot achieve this with any type of power saw.

So basically, there is no easy way. But in our business, is there ever? ;)

- Doug

RotoZip with a Ceramic Bit.

Kicks up a lot of dust, but cuts clean through the Plaster and Lath.

Get the Circle adaptor witht he Rotozip and your golden.

For round ceiling speakers check out morse hole saws. I purchased mine from www.mytoolstore.com. Large diameter hole saw with carbide grit cutting edge. Eats through plaster, wood lathe, metal lathe, etc. Great solution if you can find the correct size. Lots of dust.

Rotozip and a good vacuum.

jcmitch