I start with brads(reg. length) then switch to longer bits. I though drill the blank before turning as needles are center drilled anyways. With any plug if you turn then do belly holes it make the drilling much easier. Always start with a shorter bit first. I also drill on lath or drill press, my lathe is dead nuts on as it's a mono tube bed. With your longer bits make sure you buy a quality bit as the $7 or bits s..k. Get one from Salty or one similar to that