Get the right tool for the job! Got my bit and mag drill. Set the drill speed slow and use cutting fluid. Took about 4 minutes per pad including aligning the drill to the hole. Finally some good news. However, it wasnt easy.
At first i was a little worried. Got about 20 holes and the bit chipped. Figuring i had nothing to loose, I lined up for the next hole and it plowed right through. Got another 40 holes like that until it just stopped cutting. Again, nothing to loose its time to figure out how to sharpen a drill bit. Off to HD to finally pick up a bench grinder. Ive needed one for so long and always put it off. Since I couldnt find a bit sharpener that would take larger than a 1/2" bit, bench grinder it is. Little bit of youtube and bit is sharpened. Drilled a bunch more holes until the bit broke. Off to the chop saw to square off the bit and ready it for sharpening. Since i was only enlargeing the hole, i only had to put a small angle on it. Cut like a dream and finish my holes for 1 side of the machine.