[Pault17]

GE,
I don't know that I would start with hardfacing rod. Go and pick yourself up some 6010 or 6011, or even a small pack of 7018 or its AC equivalent.

Is your machine an AC/DC or just AC. that will determine what rods to get.

Now that I read your whole post, you will need lotsa electricity and the appropriate rods (ac vs dc).
crank it up to 95 amps, angle the stick into the direction of travel about 15 or 20 degrees, strike an arc and burn rod

7018 will probably be the easiest to start an arc with, but I learned with lots of 6011 on a DC machine. way coool and lotsa lotsa fun