Craig, I remember the article as being similar to what you saying. I read it back around '98, or close, and it seemed a type of brush was used and "center points" marked on the metal and then the brushed effect was done in the drill press. I have some pretty dang stiff brushes, say like 1", that would do the trick. Heck, I may try it on a spare piece of 18 guage metal I have..... but I'd love to find it pre-fabed.
I'll keep listening, and looking. It'll come up somewhere! Thanks for everyone's comments.