I was a Metal shop teacher and was 'spoiled' by the inherent ability of machine tools. However,I have a Shopsmith, which is basically a wood lathe. I use the ability of the saw table, rip fence and lockable miter gauge to make a jig that allows me to use the drill press as a horizontal boring machine. That's why I bore the holes first, because when it's still square, I can secure it to the 'jig'. I have a tail stock and a Nova G3 chuck, but no way to hold a drill in the tailstock. The only way to feed the material would be to operate the quill while the chuck held It.
If I changed my order of operation where I could bore the hole, round the stock using the Nova chuck and live center, then cut to length, glue the tubes, then square the ends, I would then only have to shape already round stock to its final size. Would that work?
Regarding the creation of my own bushings, unfortunately the only way I can shape metal is to hold it in the chuck and use my files. I understand that I could use wood, I have some hard cherry, maple and ebony, and lots of acrylic scraps. I just wonder if it's worth the effort. Of course if I had a metal lathe we wouldn't be having this conversation.