Take some pictures
Tim, If you could get someone to take some pictures of how you are presenting the gouge to the wood it would give me, at least, a better idea of your setup with the tools and wood. Everyones suggestions are great but by not being able to see what is happening at the time of the catch and where the catch is occurring we are all in the dark. The best suggestion is to get in touch with a more seasoned turner to show you some tips.
For Curtis, You can use whatever you want where ever you want so long as you have become competent with the tool in the situation you are choosing to use it in. Many people will use a spindle gouge inside a bowl for certain things so don't count things out with such certainty! For we have to go from stickmen to the Mona Lisa and to get there use everything inbetween!
Jeff
To turn or not to turn that is the question: ........Of course the answer is...........TURN ,TURN,TURN!!!!
Anyone "Fool" can know, The important thing is to Understand................Albert Einstein
To follow blindly, is to never become a leader............................................ .....Unknown