Questions and answers
Do you sell machinery?
No. Machinery Products is an independent guide. We don’t sell, hire or repair anything. Products are sold by Amazon and its sellers, and our “Search Amazon” buttons take you to Amazon.co.uk to see current prices and sellers.
Who runs this site?
Machinery Products is owned by Steven Smith, who runs a small group of independent UK guide websites. See About Machinery Products.
How do the Amazon links work?
Most buttons open an Amazon.co.uk search for that model, so you can compare listings, sellers and the current price. A button only goes straight to a single product page if we have checked that Amazon listing ourselves. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t change the price you pay. See the affiliate disclosure.
Why don’t you show prices or star ratings?
Prices change constantly and differ between sellers, so any price we showed would soon be wrong. We haven’t tested the machines, so we don’t give ratings or “best buy” awards either. You’ll find the current price on Amazon.co.uk.
Where do the figures on product pages come from?
From each maker’s own product page or spec sheet. Every product page lists its sources and the date we checked them. Makers update their ranges, so if a figure matters to you, check the maker’s current page and the manual too.
Have you tested these machines?
No. We haven’t used or tested the machines for this guide. We describe them from the makers’ published information, in our own words.
Can I run a generator in my garage or shed?
No. Honda’s safety advice is never to run a generator in a confined or partly enclosed space, inside a garage or house, or near open windows or doors, because of carbon monoxide. The NHS lists portable generators as a source of carbon monoxide. Read generators and carbon monoxide.
How much petrol can I keep at home?
HSE says you can store up to 30 litres of petrol at home without telling your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority, in suitable containers — plastic up to 10 litres, metal up to 20 litres, or one demountable tank up to 30 litres — and never in your living accommodation. See storing petrol at home.
What’s the difference between a compressor’s CFM and its free air delivery?
The bigger figure is usually the piston displacement (or intake) — the air the pump draws in. Free air delivery is the air you can actually use, and it is lower: SIP’s QT 24 litre compressor, for example, is listed at 8 CFM displacement but 6.5 CFM free air delivery. Compare compressors on free air delivery. See compressor CFM and tank size explained.
Do I need ear defenders for DIY machinery?
The Noise at Work Regulations apply to work, not home DIY — but your hearing doesn’t know the difference. Employers must provide hearing protection where exposure reaches 85 dB(A), and several machines in this guide list sound levels above that. See noise and hearing protection.
A listing on Amazon looks different from your page. Which is right?
Check the model number. Makers sell several versions of some machines (for example with or without a battery, or with petrol or electric drive), and sellers sometimes bundle extras. The maker’s current product page and the manual are the final word. If you think our page is out of date, please tell us.
How do I report a mistake?
Email hello@machineryproducts.co.uk with the page and what looks wrong. We check every report against the maker’s page.