Ever watch William Ng on YouTube.
I really like how that guy thinks, great at explaining with stuff like his 5-cut method for miter guide alignment. Obscenely accurate.

For a long time I used his doming technique for the ebony plugs with the drill. Problem was that even with my 1/2" chuck I could not hold 3/8" sticks and the wrist motions were killer on these tired bones.
I went more direct by using my drill press with a 4-jaw chuck. Makes more sense with a square stick versus the typical 3-jaw.
Having a lathe would be even easier, but I haven't jumped off that bridge yet.