Dave,
If you use a 10 x 2 tap, presuming that the 2 refers to the pitch, you will not be able to use the graduations on the handle.
Just thinking a bit more about the tightening up of the topslide. I normally use mine with the tool set more or less over the leading edge of the cross-slide since this puts the cutting forces over the cross-slide which is where they are supposed to be. The only occasion where I have needed to advance the top-slide has been when cutting close up to the mandrel when using a direct collet. In this instance, the saddle becomes hard up against the headstock and thus to get that last 30mm or so, I have to use the top-slide. Even so, my method is to adjust the positioning of the saddle and topslide such that tool has just traversed the required cut when the saddle contacts the headstock. Maybe a couple of millimetres past. This adjustment is done with the mandrel stationary hence the top-slide positioning can be done with the tool clamp slack. Indeed, when boring I have set topslide and saddle with the tool slack, pushing the tool into the required position before tightening the tool clamps. Thus, I find there is little need to turn the topslide handle under load.
Of course, if you are into turning tapers with the topslide, then that is a different kettle of fish. Here, I think the idea of a balancing tool on the opposite side to the cutting tool will help.
Final thought is that is it actually necessary to have the tool clamps that tight? I have a suspicion that I tend to run with the tool clamps not exactly slack, but tending that way. And yes, I have had the occasional tool slip, but nothing absolutely detrimental.
Regards,
Peter G. Shaw