Originally Posted by
HillRider
If the play is only .5 mm at the rim, a 1/4 turn at the cone will probably ruin the bearings. I find I have to adjust the cone and locknuts in only low single digit degree increments to refine the bearing play.
Not really. Shimano axles are 10x1mm, so 1/4 turn = .25mm (0.01") of adjustment. If it's already loose, there's no way that's going to make it tight enough to ruin anything.
With a top quality Campy or Dura Ace hub, you might want to go 1/8 turn to dial something in perfectly.