I want a star drill -- one of the old star bits

Those are still available, pretty cheap, at Home Depot or Lowes, or even at Harbor Freight if you trust the Chinese steel - unless of course you're talkin' 2 inch holes. Biggest usually available are about an inch diameter.

Having made quite a few holes with both kinds, my preference is for the "carbide blade" rotary bits in an impact drill, but of course there's times when you have to do without the electric assist.

John