volts500 wrote:

The trick to cutting the lath, as others have mentioned, is to _remove
the plaster first_. The trick to removing the plaster is to _score_
it first. Once the lath is exposed one can usually reach in with a
pair of lineman's pliers and grab the middle lath to hold it still
while cutting the lath. Sometimes needlenose pliers work better, or
cut out some of the lath so the lineman's pliers will fit. Go easy
towards the end of the cut. Cut as far as you have to in the upper
and lower laths, on both sides, then just snap off the lath with the
lineman's pliers.

I forgot to mention when making the first cut in the lath not to cut
it all
the way through....stop it short about 1/4". That way when you are
making the second cut the lath won't flap around. Once the second
cut is made all the way through you can then snap the lath out with
your pliers or use your saw to remove the final 1/4" of lath on the
first
cut. If you use old work boxes with snap brackets, the brackets will
secure the loose middle laths when you tighten it. Here's what they
look like:
http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop...7/9331esc2.htm