Chainsaw Repair

If you take your chains to the chainsaw dealer, they all get ground at the same angles - 30 horizontal degrees on the top plate and 60 vertical degrees. No 10 degree droop on the chisel chains.

The Stihl chain angles in the chart usually represent the complement of the Oregon chain angles. However many of Oregon's angles say 55 degrees for the vertical angle though most people use 60 degrees.

I have a 511A and it grinds a Stihl chain just as well as it does Oregon chains. I do them at the same angles.

I do the 10 degree droop on the chisel chains

That's what I was curious about, I printed off a chart from Stihl and it was showing some different angles.  Being new to this and having never messed with Stihl chains before I didn't want to mess up a buddies chain. It's the kind of thing you would never live down. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I think Philbert owns a 511A also?

Choose your grinding wheel thickness according to the pitch of the chain, just like you would file size.

Choose your grinding angles based on the expected use (hardwood, softwood, etc.), same as you would for filing.

Pick some old or scrap chains to practice on.  Dress the edge of the wheel and only take the great wheel down as far as you would take the file. Don't try to grind all the way to the gullets. Same as with a file. Picking up a pattern here?

Take your time and use lots of little taps. If you want you, can take a scrap chain and intentionally overheat/blue the cutters to get a feel for what that takes. Then work to develop a light touch so that you don't blue them when sharpening.

Philbert

Another key to not over heating the cutters when grinding is to keep the grinding wheel dressed and clean.