511AX setup

[drmax]

Hello. New here and new with a grinder. I'm use 72 LGX oregon chain. Question with set up.
Since I'm suppose to be using a 10 degree down setting, with this chain, my questions pertain mainly
to this.  Firstly though....there is a scale on the very bottom of vise, that slides either way of 0 degrees,
with a letter "A" near the 0.  Is this normally set at zero? and then only used to offset a worn wheel?
If so, I ground 4 teeth with this not set correctly, as I did not catch this on initial set up.

OK...So I have the correct wheel installed for 3/8's chain.  By following the manual, I have the marks set correctly for the 10 degrees down setting.  Prior to setting up for 10 degrees scale, I would be using 60/30/10. 
So now, the mark for head tilt is at the 10 d. mark, vise turned to the left mark of 30 d. setting and vise base is tilted correctly.  With these setting in place, without grinder running, I bring the stone down to top plate and notice the angle is off a bit. (this chain was supposedly ground (from ace hardware) at 30 degrees. Look more like a 35 or better pitch Perhaps they did not use the 10 degree down setting)  Ok, I turn on grinder and drop stone into tooth, just enough to shape the cutter.  When I'm finished, the gullet portion as taken a different shape. The stone has removed cutter material, to take the shape of the grinder wheel, and not the nice beveled shaped it is suppose to be.

I was careful not to cut too deep, as I know the gullet is not really doing any of the cutting. So what am I doing wrong? 

[ladylake]

 You don't need to tilt the base 10* either way, leave it at 0. Make sure to hit the face of the cutter with the side of the wheel which means getting the wheel down into the gullet far as you can without grinding the links away. The biggest mistake made is not getting the wheel low enough which can result in a negative hook on the cutter which wont cut. Your right the side of the cutter doesn't do much, just along for the ride, it's the top 25 to 30 thousands that does all the cutting. Also when sharpening set the sharpener so the wheel barely hits the cutter, no sence in hogging off more than needed.     Steve

[John R]

Not sure where your getting the 10 degree setting from.
I have a 511AX and set the head at the 60 degree mark, and turn the vice to 30 degrees either way.
My re sharpened chains cut as good as, or better than a new factory chain.

[ladylake]

In the directions it does say to tilt the base 10* when sharpening a chiesel chain, I tried it a 0* and the chiesel chains cut just as good as if you tilt the base. Mine has been at 0* for 30 years now.   Steve

[John R]

In the directions it does say to tilt the base 10* when sharpening a chiesel chain, I tried it a 0* and the chiesel chains cut just as good as if you tilt the base. Mine has been at 0* for 30 years now.   Steve

So you leave the head set stright up and down like for grinding the rakers?
Never tried that.
I always thought the tooth had to be cut at an angle, top to bottom.
I'm going to give that a try.

[ladylake]

No the head is tilted at 60* with the base swinging 30* from one side to the other. I don't tilt the base, it's left flat.    Steve

[ladylake]

 John  If you loosen the same knob that is used to swing the base from side to side quite a bit you can tilt the base 10* either way from flat. The base sits in a curved casting that lets you do that.      Steve

[John R]

John  If you loosen the same knob that is used to swing the base from side to side quite a bit you can tilt the base 10* either way from flat. The base sits in a curved casting that lets you do that.      Steve

OK, the light comes on now.   
Thanks