Am I not getting enough gas to this TIG Weld?

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New to TIG!!This is a weld on what I'm assuming is mild steel, roughly 14 ga.  The loop portion had a coating on it I ground off, the ears painted pieces that I ground clean.I prepped the tungsten as suggested here, and the gas is set at 50.This is my first stab at using filler rod.  I got good penetration as best I can tell.  I had ground another piece and beat it with a hammer - no breakage or cracking.I had gone back over these both, that's why the welds are different colors. Thanks in advance!TOOLandFAB.com See our Articles and Member Writeups and Tool Review Sections
Reply:50 ? your gas ? wow seems too much, I know I'm only rated at about 10 right now and that's with no breeze at all.
Reply:Thanks for the post.  The regulator I got from the previous owner is an ancient POS.  It has been a struggle to get the gas flowing at all let alone set up right.Is the gas my problem with that weld?TOOLandFAB.com See our Articles and Member Writeups and Tool Review Sections
Reply:I'm assuming that you're using straight Argon, correct?  I haven't had this problem with my TIG but I've seen a similar look with my MIG when I wasn't getting enough gas coverage.I'm usually using around 20 CFH with my TIG.  I'd take a close look at that regulator or maybe borrow another for comparison.  If it was really running 50 CFH you could be creating so much turbulance that it's pulling in some outside air (venturi effect) and messing up your gas shield.TinkerCentury 135GS, ThermalArc 250GTS
Reply:OK, I just went out to play around with the gas setting and now I'm not getting any gas at the torch.  When I hit the pedal, I get a noise at the torch that sounds like its shorting out.  I pulled the sleeve on the handle down and hit it again.  This time (don't try this) I had the edge of my finger on the metal fitting on the end of the hose.  When I hit the pedal it instantly burned my finger.It seems that the problem is the torch (?)  Iim sure it has some miles on it...It's a WeldTec (Weldcraft?) 17FV Aircooled Torch.  Should I try a new torch?  I don't want to keep messing around with this and I have no idea what this torch has seen prior to getting to me.TOOLandFAB.com See our Articles and Member Writeups and Tool Review Sections
Reply:Is this a one piece hose on the torch or 2 piece?  I had a 2 piece hose that the gas hose was not fully connected and it was leaking - caused all kinds of problems.  You might disassemble the torch and see if you have a leak.
Reply:It looks like your gas could be set up wrong, or you may have a bad connection.  But, I also noticed that your peice looks to be galvanized, and the metal is usually penetrated with the galvanizing which makes it hard to make a pretty weld even if you grind it off.What The *#$%
Reply:when I think one of our torches has a leek I pull the tungsten out and plug the shield cup with my thumb and step on the peddleand listen for gas or watch the ball on the flow meter 50 sounds way to much and if it is Galv Good luck It will be strong but uggggly
Reply:Got the problem cured.  The regulator was messed up. I put a new one on and it works like a dream.Thanks for the tip on the galv.  The welds are nice and strong, but they are butt-ugly.  TOOLandFAB.com See our Articles and Member Writeups and Tool Review Sections
Reply:Looks like way too much gas, try 30 and needle sharpen the tungsten, heat is heat with tig, run what you feel comfortable with.  But gas at 50 is too much.
Reply:try more like 15 cfm, good clean tipped tungston 2% thor(red) for steel and make sure that you are using  100% argon anything more then 15cfm your just wasting gas b-