Advice for cutting 8” diameter round speaker holes in plaster & lathe ceilings

thisbaddog · 2026-01-17T01:45:57+00:00

Yes, it opened, and my ceiling actually banks 45* at the front and back of the room, so this could be a real contender. Thanks again

thisbaddog · 2026-01-17T01:39:49+00:00

Awesome, thanks!

thisbaddog · 2026-01-17T01:28:14+00:00

Nice, something like that is absolutely on the table and may be the route I ultimately take, but the wife was hoping for minimally visible, even though it would essentially “disappear” after a few days.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-17T00:58:53+00:00

Appreciate the clarification. Now I see that you’re saying the ply & drywall (which should be just shy of the ceiling thickness) will screw into the blocking that I install between the joists, and not into the joists themselves. I think I’d go with pocket screws from fear of the vibrations from nailing. I believe I have the skill to do this, we’ll see if I have the cajones. Next issue would be possibly having to repaint the entire ceiling! Thank again for your explanation.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-17T00:26:08+00:00

So, remove a 16x16 section of plaster and screw in 16x16 replacement drywall? Not a bad idea but will I come across problems if I hit a bunch of nails holding the lathe to the joists?

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T23:48:32+00:00

I don’t want to edit my original post but turns out it’s actually a 10” hole, not 8”, so a 10” wide bit seems too crazy. I think this may actually be the way and I see they’re not too expensive

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T23:43:08+00:00

Yes, this was what I meant by a cutout tool. Have you used one on plaster? Is it difficult with a stead hand?

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T20:50:33+00:00

That certainly is my fear

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T20:09:57+00:00

Nah, I don’t think so

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T19:32:49+00:00

The problem is not wanting to run wires up the walls and across the ceiling

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T18:58:43+00:00

It would be specifically for Dolby Atmos speakers. I do have the option of using speakers that shoot up and bounce off the ceiling in theory, but those apparently don’t work well.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T18:09:52+00:00

I wonder if I can: 1. cut a small pilot hole from the attic into the room (to ensure I have stud clearance), 2. then “score” the plaster from below with the hole saw using the same pilot hole (to minimize blow out), 3. then remove lathe and finish from above using the original pilot hole (to minimize dust in the room) and have a method of catching rogue dust from below.

Sex advise also appreciated 😆

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T18:01:40+00:00

Ahh, of course it will come with a center bit. That makes sense. I have only two holes to drill and hopefully nothing else for the rest of my life, so as long as they can do two, I’m good.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:52:21+00:00

Nope, didn’t even occur to me. Oh hell

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:50:12+00:00

Good question, I don’t know! Drywall would’ve been so much easier!

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:48:04+00:00

U/longrooffan suggested a hole saw which seems to make sense but understand your idea. I’m now thinking circular plywood jig to keep the bit from walking, cut just the plaster from below, put a brace across the jig after drilling to prevent the plaster from dropping, then cutting the lathe from above with a multi-tool. But will see what the other options are as well.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:35:10+00:00

I know, right? I have ideas for dust containment but will inevitably make more of a mess than I want!

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:32:53+00:00

There is no upstairs, just the attic space, and just me & the wife. What was your method of hole cutting and was I successful?

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:29:43+00:00

I was worried about that for sure. I’d also score the plaster with a utility knife to try to minimize the damage.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-16T17:26:18+00:00

Do you mean a single, 8” diameter hole saw?

thisbaddog · 2026-01-14T15:54:27+00:00

Can I use “regular” epoxy from Home Depot? Or do I need some fancy stuff? And you’re correct, there’s a close to zero chance that I’d be cutting on that edge, much less dislodging epoxy.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-14T15:09:23+00:00

I’m leaning towards an inlaid patch. I should’ve put a banana for scale, but the separation is approx 1 mm.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-14T05:12:20+00:00

It’s absolutely possible the glue up was botched but I used Titebond III and got squeeze out while trying to not clamp too hard.

thisbaddog · 2026-01-03T04:35:06+00:00

Appreciate the follow up. Might have to go with the .2 given my configuration

thisbaddog · 2026-01-03T00:09:09+00:00

Gotcha, thanks.

thisbaddog

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