Cydrome Leader fired this volley in news:kiqamj
:

Is the rest of the process I'm using sensible though?

It works; it's not the best.

If you can afford to waste a little stock, you'll get better work by
parting it up into lengths you can manage in the chuck, and working with
little overhang.

If you can't pass it through the headstock, then cut it into lengths long
enough to make two pieces (plus the amount to part them and finish off
the 'cap' part).

Chuck, turn on end to the .2" dimension. Then flip it around and cut the
other end to .2". Finally, part, finish one, re-chuck the other and
finish it.

Even though it's more steps, you'll get better finishes with less
chatter.

LLoyd