[TheForge] ranite hardfacing rods

[Luke Thomson]

 So I've had the rod and the anvil sitting around my house for just over a
year now and would love to be able to use both of them! I bought some Ranite
Hardfacing (this stuff is highlighted because of some junk when I pasted
this text from a previous e-mail that bounced )Electrodes at a blacksmithing
garage sail and it seems to hold up pretty well, although it really likes to
have little bubbles (most likely due to my lack of expierance with the arc
welder). Some dumby had a little fun on the sides of my anvil with a plasma
torch at one point and there are a few good gouges. On top of that there is
about a .25" sway that I would like to even out while I have my highschools
shop at my disposal.

So some of my questions are:

1. What websites would you suggest for researchings refacing anvils (links
if possible)
2. What you've found from personal experience.
3. Rods you'd use, I have some "Ranite Hardfacing Electrodes from Rankin
Industries with a sticker reading

                 Ranite "A"                type of rod
       Blue Tip        5/32"             ? and size
       AMPS 140-160                   Suggested amperage settings
       43-47 RC                           I assume how hard it will air cool
to...

*What do you know/think  about these rods.*
             I'm afraid of small stress cracks and don't know how welding
will affect my rebound. I don't really mind the shinyness* that would
probably be evident with this rod but want to know reasons why I ahould or
should not use it.
4. foundation or lay rod? I've heard some say to lay a base with
softer rodand lay hardface over that.

I like this idea but want to know if laying hardfacing rod over a softer
filler rod would be analogous to putting glass (hard rod) on a
pillow (softer rod).
5. with the rod I have or just in general is it necessary to anneal and
temper my anvil again?

thank you for any and all help, and
God Bless,
 Luke