shielding gas problem

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I have a problem, when I weld for more than a few minutes at a time the shielding gas stops intermittently. Mainly when I'm welding heavier steel and have the welder turned up pretty high. The welder is an older Miller 250, also the regulator builds a frost on the outside of it. I have to turn the pressure up to make the problem less frequent. I had a guy I work with watch the gauge while I was welding and it didn't change when the problem happens. It is very frustrating and any help is appreciated. If it matters I'm running 100%   C02.    Thanks in advance.
Reply:What is your flow rate?  Have you checked it?You DO have a vapor draw tank?David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I've seen regulators with heaters to help with that problem.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:The flow rate is about 28 cfh and it doesn't change when the problem happens. I'm may sound like a dumb@$$ but what is a vapor draw tank? This is a recent problem and nothing has changed same wire, tank, and regulator.
Reply:I Googled "co2 regulator frost" and came up with this link. Since everything is the same, maybe your worksite was a few degrees cooler. I'd just hang a 40w drop light under the regulator and frequently check that the regulator doesn't get warm to the touch.http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/dros/1999-July/004863.html9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Some where in my recent readings on the internet I seem to recall that some regulators don't take to co2 for this reason. probably the orifice is freezing up,  the gauge reads pressure but is calibrated in volume / unit of time based on the orifice size.fred
Reply:Thanks everybody for your help and Craig I don't know why I didn't google it I google everything ( I geuss that is the sometimers kickin in). I'll give that a try tomorrow.
Reply:Might give your gas supplier a call.  A couple years ago at work I was having gas problems on a robotic cell I was running.  Weren't able to solve the problem locally, so we had our gas supplier come in.  They brought some different equipment to try and solve the problem.  In talking with the guys they mentioned that often flow problems with CO2 systems can be solved by drawing from two tanks (using a manifold to a single flowmeter) instead of a single tank.  Had something to do with CO2 being liquid in the tank, and drawing the vapors as it boiled off, don't remember exactly.  This was just during some friendly shop talk, as we were having issues with an Ar/O blend gas, and I didn't press for specifics.
Reply:Dvlman:Google is relatively new to me. So when I think to use it, I'll post to let other 'grown ups' know how frikkin' cool it is. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I tried the light bulb trick to day and after trying a few different bulbs I got it to work. After that I had no problems at all. Thanks guys for all your help.