Support system for cantilevered-roll shafts

A rolling stand has a frame and a pair of support shafts centered on respective parallel shaft axes and each having an outer end projecting past the frame, inner and outer axially spaced bearing portions in the frame, and a gear between the respective inner and outer bearing portions. Each outer bearing portion lies between the respective inner bearing portion and the respective outer end. Respective rolls are carried on the outer ends outside the frame and respective eccentric sleeves rotatable in the frame about the axes engage the shafts at the bearing portions so that a spacing of the axes can be varied by rotating the sleeves in the frame. Respective pressure sleeves surround the shafts between the respective inner and outer bearing portions and are connected to a controller that pressurizes the sleeves and thereby bends the shafts in the frame between the inner and outer bearing portions.