Gary
I wonder if you have considered trying an MDF faceplate and double sided sticky tape (if you need to get right up to the centre of your piece) or polystyrene (or similar friction material) sandwiched between the MDF and workpiece, held in place by the tailstock?
Industry do a really fine job of convincing us that their (expensive) products are the only way to go whereas inititive and offcuts are usually free!
Hope that helps a bit
Brian