My first instructor told me to work until the smokes "wreathes around the spindle, not just comes up as one thread" if that helps.

Cedar on cedar should work.

The hearthboard should not smoke much if at all but I am not sure what the adjustment for that would be.

How wide is your spindle where it touches the hearthboard socket?

How thick is your hearthboard compared to the width of your spindle where it touches the hearthboard socket?

Is your bowdrill making squeaking noises [too slick from charring or lubrication] or a more raspy rubbing noise [good friction of wood on wood]?

Anybody you can go to that is decent with a bowdrill?