Reply by Chris Wright

I’ve used a hole saw in the drill press without the pilot bit to cut circles out of 1/4” stock. I didn’t even use a clamp, I did use a fence though, and it was a long piece of wood wo I had plenty of wood to grip, however, I would suggest a clamp if the piece is less then 10” long. If the speed of the drill press is slow enough (I say less then 550 RPM) and you pull down with easy pressure, there shouldn’t be any problems. I say practice to get the feel of it, and if it makes you nervious, use a saw (jig, band or scroll, what ever the case may be) and sand it to your final size.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken