Jim
It took me four days to accomplish THE CATCH and break off the termite. I was a very new turner at the time.
If you are planning to use the termite for roughing out all of the interior, you will be sharpening them to “whispers” of steel in short order. Might I suggest you consider the termite as a finish cut tool.
Try this. Drill a hole 3/8 or ½ inch hole to the finished depth of the bowl (wrap some blue tape on the drill shank to mark the depth). Use a swept back bowl gouge to work from the middle (the hole) out until you have room for the gouge to use a push cut (making sure you are rubbing the bevel) to get close to the finished thickness. Then switch to a very sharp termite to make your finish cuts.
If you are not yet comfortable with the gouge, bite the bullet and purchase one of the carbide “ring” tools like the Hunter or the Eliminator. Either of these tools provide much more support to the cutter and the cutting edges are far more durable than the termite and they don’t clog like the termite. Some say they can get a great cut just with the carbide tools but I haven’t found it to be true for me. Perhaps I need better technique.
Per my previous response to you earlier question about the termite, start your finish cuts (working in sections) from the rim and work towards the foot. That way, the thicker wood will support the thinner cuts and a minor catch won’t destroy the work. It also helps minimize the flexing of the piece at it becomes thinner. (using your hand or a steady rest to control the flexing of the wood is a whole other subject. Check with your local AAW chapter and I'm sure one of the members would love to show you their technique)
Jim keenan