Well, I set the amps and leave them alone. You might prefer to go a bit lower and practice your angles and speed a bit more before going so high. I am used to welding and vary the cadence that I fill and how fast I go to effect the heat I am working with. You do not pre heat the base on steel per say. The rod should be right ahead but in the gas of the source heat. I like to walk the cup back and forth on some welds and keep rocking until I get the heat I want then progress forward where it is cool. The rod is the cooler, as you add filler it cools the weld and the more cup or tungston angle and stick out you have the less the heat will penetrate the base and reflect more. Believe it or not this is a fact in welding, The shorter the stick out the deeper the penetration. No kiden. This means the more directly you point the heat source at the base the deeper the heat will penetrate. You can tell the wife I said so if you think it will help. :lol: :lol:
It takes quite a few days or weeks and different approaches to be an efficient tig welder. Through time and from advice, your perception of what you are seeing have to come together and things will go your way. It it not quite as easy as just gas welding. Keep practicing and asking questions but most of all keep trying day after day and you will get better.
Bruce