I've been reading about front hubs at Sheldon Brown's site, and he says that it's very important to adjust the cones just right. But he doesn't say how you can tell what "just right" means; just that if you don't get it just right, disaster ensues.

So: how do you achieve the "optimal adjustment" of which he speaks?

Thanks in advance. (I'm having fun; despite work etc., the bike is now reasonably clean and de-greased, at least as far as I can manage without really radical disassembly. It has new tires etc.; chain all degreased and oiled and will no doubt be great as soon as I manage to put it back on again, ha ha ha; unfortunately, a little rivet on my SA spindle indicator broke, and I suspect I might have to investigate the bearings the cranks turn on, which sounds daunting. After the front hub, I attack the brakes. Hopefully, I'll actually manage to ride this bike before too many years have passed. )