Chainsaw Repair

Most dealers sharpen everything (30 60 0) no matter what brand chain.

www.stihlusa.com/stihl_ownersmanuals/usg_sawchainangles_chart.pdf   

I have a 511a also and do all my chains at 30, 65, 10.   I like sharp angles and it does not matter to me what the manufacturer recommends.   After all it is not written in stone what you have to use, and what works best for your cutting style and needs is what is right.   I cut a lot of soft wood and those angles work for me.

Any one ever do a timed comparison on angles. Like 30 60 10 vs 30 60 0? or 25 55 10 etc..

When I first started sharpening my chains, I was obsessed with finding the manufacturers's specifications for each chain.  Then I spoke with a few of their representatives, who basically said that they make chains for millions of potential users, so they select angles that that will work for an assumed 'average user'.   These standard/default angles sometimes change, if you look at similar charts by the same manufacturer, published at different times.  I have seen different angles printed in catalogs than on chain packages.

So the default angles (and recommended file and grinding wheel sizes) are a good place to start.  If you find that other angles work better for you, go with those.  If I am sharpening a chain for someone else, I use the 30/60/0 settings unless they tell me that they want something else.

They did say, that whatever angles you choose, you should be consistent on a loop.  For example, if you intentionally decide to sharpen at 33 degrees, instead of 30, make sure that all cutters, Right and Left, are 33 degrees.  You can do another loop at, say 26 degrees, and compare the 2 to see if one works better on your saw for the type of cutting that you do, or sharpen different loops for different tasks, saws, or species.

Philbert

Most dealers do everything 60-30-0 no matter what.