I recently got a dead bar (also called idler bar). It was soooo worth it. I was constantly frustrated by when and how much I should raise the bar. Now I don't have to worry about that for an entire quilt.

I installed a dead bar on my frame in the fall...wow, wish I'd known about it all the while..it's fabulous not having to keep adjusting.

We do not ever have to adjust that on the Innovative frame so I'm of no help

i have a gammill also and can adjust the take up roller easily. If there is enough bulk to begin to drag, then yes, I raise the take up roller, only takes a second or two on the gammils.

I have an A-1 and usually the only time I need to raise is on the King and about half way through it. I wait for the drag to adjust, but on mine there is one wheel to turn, no front and back so it is not that big of a deal. Mchelle