BangkokMick,
I received my book 'Screwcutting In The Lathe' and have skimmed through it several times. Lots of good, useful information, especially for cutting a thread to specifications. I have several other books from this series that I find useful. I am an old man and I like referring to the hard copies. I have used 'Gears and Gear Cutting' many times.
It did not, however, have a description of the procedures of cutting threads with the straight in method or the top slide method.
Machine Shop Practice, volume 1, K E Moltrecht, has a step by step description of the two procedures. How to books such as Machining Fundamentals, John R Walker, also explain the steps involved. Books like Machine Shop Trade Secrets, James A. Harvey, add many useful tips. Though I have not seen a reference to the way I sharpen my tool bit.
I have been thinking a lot about threading since I made my post. It seems so easy for me to make a thread but Why is it easy? I remember the first thread I cut. 1" x 8tpi.
I just followed step 1, step 2, etc., after doing research, (reading). But again, why is it easy?
I think about Stilldrilling's comment about never seeing a set over top slide.
George H Thomas, The Model Engineers Workshop Manual, gave a good description of thread cutting and also a quick, retracting tool holder.
I have no references from the gentleman that called himself Tubal Cain. I would like to start collecting his books.
I have come to no conclusions.
But I am going to make a rapid retracting lever for my lathe's cross slide. I think this would be of benefit for more than cutting threads.