[KISS]

We are talking two different hole saws. In both cases the centering bit HAS BEEN REMOVED. That's why you need the "template" to take the place of the centering bit.

The 1/4" hole saw has no centering bit when purchased. Stratmando mentioned drilling around the shank. I mentioned a Dremel bit.

The 1/2" hole saw (my estimate of the size needed) is to provide a SMOOTH HOLE to glue in your dowel. That's the perimeter you can't breech.

If you get the right 1/2" hole saw, the centering bit is removeable (set screw).

[wilsonfrench]

We are talking two different hole saws. In both cases the centering bit HAS BEEN REMOVED. That's why you need the "template" to take the place of the centering bit.

The 1/4" hole saw has no centering bit when purchased. Stratmando mentioned drilling around the shank. I mentioned a Dremel bit.

The 1/2" hole saw (my estimate of the size needed) is to provide a SMOOTH HOLE to glue in your dowel. That's the perimeter you can't breech.

If you get the right 1/2" hole saw, the centering bit is removeable (set screw).

I can only find a 1/2" hole saw (I cannot find 1/4" one)... even so, I cannot find a 1/2" one without the drill bit....
the screw is embedded about 3/4" into the wood (which is about 1 1/'8 thick total)... so, even if I drill around this embedded screw... I don't want to go right though the piece of wood. The wood is a railing.