[TheForge] ranite hardfacing rods

Fri May 19 20:57:54 EDT 2006

Umph.,
First, refacing an anvil is a last resort manover for several 
reasons.
Second, those "little cracks" will eventually result in failure 
and chunks coming out of the face.
Third, a package of sticks that has been opened over a year has 
absorbed moisture ( even through a plastic bag) and will sport 
hydrogen cracking or underbead cracking.
4th, If the hardface rod runs with bubbles or voids you will 
spend a maddening amound of time grinding them out and rewelding 
which will affect the strength and hardness of the surface.
5th, Where you need to build up the cutting gouges, you'll need 
to use a tough build-up rod that is compatible with both the base 
metal of the anvil, the anvil face and the hardface.
6th, use a multipass facing rod that runs smooth and is designed 
for maximum impact and abraision resistance. Rainite sounds a bit 
soft.
7th. If you are doing a major refacing, preheat and post heat 
correctly.
It is not uncommon for fair to middling repair jobs to  result in 
long term anvil disaster.
Doing it properly will not result in a good-as-new anvil, at best.
Rod mfg claims are written by folks desperate to sell you rods. 
It is an expensive and very time consuming process.
One is usually better off working with what you have trading it 
in on what you want. Spend your time and effort on something more 
productive.
Sorry to be less than encouraging, but i think that that's the 
reality.....Pete F

Jeffrey Polaski wrote:
> Other have give you some good comments, all I think I can add is that
> you might try running the hardfacing rod on your anvil, and then a mig
> bead on top if that. It'll help cut down on the grinding time, and get
> rid of the little cracks that tend to develop. If you get the little
> hairline cracks, they're not a big deal. 
> 
> Oh, as far as grinding goes, you'll probably want to use a 7" or a 9"
> grinder. Good hardfacing, especially the wear resistant kind, takes a
> shockingly long time to grind through. 
> 
> 
> Jeff Polaski
> Research and Graduate Studies Webmaster
> University of California, Irvine
> http://www.rgs.uci.edu/
> 949.824.6363
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Luke Thomson
> Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 10:40 PM
> To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [TheForge] ranite hardfacing rods
> 
>  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
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