I really thought more people would bite on this.
Oh, well. It is partly a brag, or at least it started out to be. Most who follow the turning threads know I have had a long time struggle learning to use the bowl gouge. I have read books, watched videos, had hands on personal instruction and, still, it's a 'touch and catch' experience for me almost every time. I have done some bowls and other items with the bowl gouge but don't know what I did right at the time.
But, the catches have/had me really freaked out and I became afraid to even try using the bowl gouge.
Well, yesterday, I got stubborn (that is not the same as being brave or determined) and started turning a walnut bowl. Things went pretty well (curlies) until I looked at the tenon before reversing and chucking up. What I thought was some sapwood turned out to be spalt. Oh, well, chucked up anyway. Went to work on front (top). All was going well until I hit a small catch then it was flying saucer time. After I found all my teeth, I looked at the chuck. No doubt, spalted (meaning soft rotted) wood is not stout enough for chuck work.
Not sure what I'm going to do now. Cutting off the spalt will make this a pretty tiny, and shallow, bowl. Burn pile? Dunno, will decide later. Bowl gouges just don't like me.