A pressure roll for use in calenders has a stationary carrier for a shell which is rotatable and movable radially of the carrier. The end portions of the shell surround antifriction bearings which, in turn, surround sleeves capable of moving radially of stubs constituting the end portions of the carrier. The sleeves are pivotally connected to the carrier for oscillatory movement about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the carrier and is angularly offset from one or more hydrostatic or otherwise configurated supporting devices operating between the carrier and the shell to change the radial position of the shell and/or to change the shape of one or more selected portions of the shell. Pivotal mounting of the sleeves on the carrier reduces friction and facilitates accurate adjustment of the radial position of the shell with reference to the carrier.