I'd make a template from a scrap of plywood that has the entire circle already cut out, then position this over your workpiece aligning to your desired cut, and clamp it down. The full hole is now a guide for the holesaw.
Casey

You certainly can use a hole saw in that application, ideally in a drill press. If you don't, follow Casey's suggestion. Drill the full hole in a scrap piece of wood, then position it and clamp everything together and down.

I hadn't thought of that--that would be great! Bcs then I could see exactly where I was cutting, AND I wouldn't have to worry about the bit "walking." Precise positioning will be much easier.

Thanks!!

Now I just have to see if I've got a hole saw small enough. I should have, I think, now that I feel more comfortable about cutting just an arc.

I used the same method several times to drill some holes for computer cables in the center top of a $10K desk. holding breath, holding breath.

Wow, bobsmyuncle! I hold my breath just cutting on my basic butcher block counter...I would love to see what a 10k desk looks like! :)

very well-to-do client. They had spent $1,000,000 in furniture over one year with one of my customers. It's a 30K sq.ft. house for two people.
two personal assistants, a house manager, a full time maid, another maid that comes in every day to make beds and clean up the bathrooms, 3 full time maintenance people (landscaping, house maintenace, etc.) and specialists like painters, carpenters, interior designers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, etc. that come in as needed.

I discovered early in the furniture repair career that "there comes a time when you don't own a house, it owns you."

bobsmyuncle,

Is that family looking to adopt? lol

talley_sue_nyc

Another easy way to do this is to clamp or hot melt glue a sacrificial piece to the board on which you want the partial hole which is the same thickness and material. Center the hole on the sacrificial piece and drill through both.