[DonRotolo]

Small features like rivet holes are best drilled - although you can 'mark' their location with the plasma torch. Better are larger features, but the edge condition may not be as smooth as you prefer. It isn't like milled, laser or waterjet surface finish.

With aluminum, beware the effects of heat on the material - aluminum expands as you torch it, and so when it cools everything gets a little smaller (and closer together...).