Thanks all!
 
In the end I bought 5 pairs (they come in sets of two cause they break according to the HD gal) of carbide bits at HD for 2.97 each.
 
Tried the slow drill with oil but it took soooooo long….I gave up.
 
Tried just leaning on them and no oil….as soon as I saw smoke they would pop through, got all 12 holes done in 20 minutes.