Can I benefit from arc force on a Lincoln SA-200?

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I just saw a video on how changing the arc force can help a welder if his rod gets a little too close to the work.  This was also referred to as digging.  I remember reading an article some time back about changing the range selector on an old welder to increase digging.  Understand that I don't know what this means.the SA-200 I am using has a range selector, with 5 ranges, and a fine tuning knob to adjust percentage of each range.  It's all analog - nothing digital.  These ranges do overlap some, but not a whole lot - maybe 10 to 15 amps on each side.Can I benefit from changing the range selector and adjusting the fine tuning, given the amperages will be in the overlapping range?  Or, am I completely off in my understanding on what these terms mean?I am not a very good welder and am relatively inconsistent with my arc.  It would be nice if the machine could compensate for me.
Reply:The machine will not compensate for you. The arc force can be varied on your machine by for example going higher on your range selector and lower on your fine adjustment. In my opinion until you become consistent in your welding skills you will not notice much difference.
Reply:Not sure to what extent this applies to the SA 200 controls, but this is right out of an old Lincoln book. Attached Images"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:This is right out of an SA-200 owner's manual. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by mshearneI just saw a video on how changing the arc force can help a welder if his rod gets a little too close to the work.
Reply:The video was by Jody from Welding Tips and Tricks.  It was the latest weekly video or last weeks.
Reply:Oldendum - Thank you for your son.  I think it matters.
Reply:Mshearne,  Thanks!"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:CEP - I'm not sure what Open Circuit Voltage means, but the rest of the page made sense.  This won't help me much though, since I usually operate in the first range anyway.  There was a time though, when I bumped the range selector up a notch or two because I was welding much thicker steel.  I think I remember running 1/8" 6011 or 7018 at 180 amps.  This was a TOTALLY different world for me and I was not at all comfortable with it.  Maybe running at 90 amps is already soft and buttery.  Much more comfortable here.
Reply:OK, just found out what Open Circuit Voltage means.  I read the pages in the old Lincoln book provided by Oldendum (hard to read).  This makes sense to me since I am familiar with Ohm's law.I'll have to practice that when I do more welding in the vertical or upside down positions.  I'll bump the range up to the next level and reduce the fine current down to 10% or less and see how that works for me.I do seem to recall accidentally discovering this when welding the land plane.  It has some steel on it that is a lot thicker and I experimented with different currents trying to find a sweet spot.  Got really different results for current setting that were theoretically the same.  It seemed like the machine got a lot more aggressive when I bumped it up to the next gear.  Thought I just did the math wrong or had the wrong information on the setting ranges for my machine (there are no ranges listed on the dials).I have since contacted Lincoln and have the correct values for each range, and now I know a little more about digging.