I've seen HVAC tinners cut through 7/8 of a 30" lam beam just like this to run a cold air return duct . When the carpenters returned from smoking lunch , they literally took hammers and beat the tinners hard.
Yup work in the trades... HVAC = the Prima donna's.... Plumbers = the hacks (if it's in the way we'll hack it out)... Electrician = "what is that?"... "A Broom... never heard of it"... lol