Variable speed drill with a chuck made out of a piece of PVC stuffed with 3 pieces of foam rubber, On a 2" PVC, plug one end with wood, center a lag bolt, cut off the head so it will it will fit the drill chuck, stuff in the foam rubber. I had mine mounted on a 2x6 with home made dead center acting as tailstock. The foam rubber holds the dowel in place at the "headstock" end and a block of wood with a nail is the "tailstock" supporting the other end.
The above was for making custom monopod shooting sticks, with a U at the top, sort of like a long cane or walking stick. Some of these were up to 5 foot long, and the dowels were usually rough cedar fence staves. No lathe work was needed, just clean off the bark, sand, finish and attach a rest for the rifle. Before someone asks, the U shape was made of birch plywood and lag screwed to the end of the cedar fence stave. 2 pieces glued together also make a great looking cane handle.
