With pure tungstun the electrode is SUPPOSED to form a molten ball. To use a pointed electrode you have to use the ziconiated tungstun. Clean your surfaces well with a STAINLESS STEEL wire brush, regular steel introduces impurities that make holding a steady arc difficult. Also connect your ground to a piece aluminum plate and weld your piece on that, welding aluminum on steel causes arcing and makes good control difficult. Also grind the tungstun to look more like a needle then a pencil ie a fine gradual point and grind it so the grinding marks are parallel to the long axis that is hold the tungstun tangent to the grinding wheel.
As far as balance is concerned its probably best right now to center it. It basically adjusts how much current is moving from the workpiece to the electrode, which heats the electrode more, and how much moves from the electrode to the workpiece, which blasts the surface more.
Not a good idea to Tig weld without gloves, all the short wave UV can start a melanoma. not a good thing.

Good Luck

Steve

Journyman Welder, Naval Ship R+D Center '78