i just complete my plaster ceiling... what eleganz describe is per what my contractor is doing now..

ha ha.. I purposely tell some joke with my contractor.. is this secure enough to hole a fan .. u know what he use his hand to hole the solid wood and leg does not touch the ground. If it can hole a adult body weight i think is secure enough to hole a fan

Just make sure like what eleganz mention, make sure ur contractor is doing in proper manner.