I am relatively new at this. Is it possible for a catch to damage a bearing?
Depends on the severity of the catch and the lathe (quality , size, robustness, etc) among other factors, but entirely possible to have a catch so bad as to bend the spindle (if it doesn't bend the tool or tool rest first) , or in the case of my Harbor Freight lathe, the prior owner evidently had a catch so bad he literally bent his (admittedly el-cheapo no-name) Spindle roughing gouge to 90 degrees, and actually caused the headstock to warp (as well as a little chunk broken out of the mounting cup that rotating headstock clamps to) - That's actually why I got the whole shebang (including scroll chuck) for so cheap (all I could afford anyway), I think.I am relatively new at this. Is it possible for a catch to damage a bearing?
Take a close look at the tenor (or recess) that the chuck was gripping and make sure you haven't cracked it. That could cause the vibration and it could allow the piece to come off the lathe if you don't do something about it. It's not impossible but I highly doubt you damaged a spindle bearing. But very likely you damaged the wood holding the piece in the chuck.It's hard to say precisely. I was using a powermatic 2014. I had a catch but nothing earth shaking. Enough to loosen the hold of the bowl in the chuck but not a OMG moment. It's difficult to say exactly when but sometime thereafter I noticed some increased vibration. I was just curious. I would have guessed it would require something pretty violent as described.