Author Topic: Chain Sharpening Angles?  (Read 939 times)

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Offline Giles

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Chain Sharpening Angles?
« on: April 29, 2015, 08:59:57 pm »
I sharpen a lot of chains, mostly my own and have difficulty knowing the correct angles.
I use an Oregon 511A and the angles are important especially after someone has hand sharpened.
I have about four charts but seem to always come up with a chain that is not listed.
Like today, Two Stihl 325 chains one with green link and one with yellow. One of the chains had "w4" on a link
and the other I can't recall without going back to the shop.
Unreal at some of the angles messed up on a new owner sharpened chain.
Last year I purchased a saw where the owner had used a flat file to sharpen!

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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2015, 09:17:08 pm »
Most dealers sharpen everything (30 60 0) no matter what brand chain.

www.stihlusa.com/stihl_ownersmanuals/usg_sawchainangles_chart.pdf   
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2015, 09:21:21 pm »
My Stihl .325 RSC chains I do 30, 60, 10

The RMC .325 I do 30, 60, 0

I have a 511A and I'm happy.
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Offline 3000 FPS

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2015, 09:29:27 pm »
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.
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2015, 09:53:14 pm »
+1
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Offline man of stihl

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2015, 08:17:51 pm »
Any one ever do a timed comparison on angles. Like 30 60 10 vs 30 60 0? or 25 55 10 etc..
Ron

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2015, 08:40:50 pm »
It is difficult to get accurate results.

Angles are specific to a certain species

You need good clear & accurate cants to do your timing. The temperature and humidity must be consistent during the test.
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Offline Philbert

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2015, 11:52:51 pm »
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

Offline man of stihl

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2015, 05:40:44 am »
I had to sharpen 14 chains for customers last weekend so I decided to buy a grinder. I bought a laser grinder. its just like the Oregon 511. (I love it BTW) Ive just noticed the different angles on the different chains. Stihl 33 chain is 60 and Carlton was 70 degrees. I didn't change the Carlton to 60 but was thinking it would cut better if I did. I always thought the Stihl chain was more aggressive out of the box and it is.
Most chains call for the 10 degree vise angle and was curious if that was necessary. It puts more of a hook in the cutter but does it really make a noticeable difference. I think ill do what you said and just do the 60 30 0 for the customers. And still hand file my own chains of course.
Ron

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Chain Sharpening Angles?
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2015, 07:28:47 am »
Most dealers do everything 60-30-0 no matter what.
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