I ran a 4.25 in hole saw up into the nipple of the gas pipe for a center location and cut the plaster and pipe in no time. Then installed a box and brace.
As far as the pipe being able to support the weight, not in this house. On 2 other locations like this in the same house I made a small hole on each side of the medalian and cut the pipe and it slid out of the way no problem. It had no clips as the hole pipe run was loose and able to move so all the weight would have been supported by plaster and wood lathe
