Fact-checking
Safety and legal points get the closest checks, because they are the ones that matter most if we get them wrong.
Before publication
Every draft goes through a fact-checking pass separate from the writing. Each factual claim is marked and checked against a primary source. Claims are grouped by risk:
| Type of claim | Example | How it is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Safety-critical | RCD requirements, dust mask classes, guard use | Against HSE guidance, standards summaries or government publications; wording kept close to the source |
| Legal and regulatory | When Part P applies, planning permission | Against the official guidance for each UK nation, with differences stated |
| Technical | Bevel angles, screw sizes, extractor types | Against manufacturers' published information and standard references; ranges given where practice varies |
| Practical tips | Bench layout, storage ideas | Tried in practice; presented as suggestions rather than rules |
If a claim cannot be confirmed, it is rewritten more cautiously or removed.
Figures and ranges
Where a number depends on the product, such as a tool's power rating or a cable reel's wound rating, we give a typical range and tell readers to check the label or manual. We do not publish prices, because they change too quickly to stay accurate.
Links
External links go to official and authoritative sources only. Links are checked when a guide is updated, and broken or outdated links are replaced.
After publication
Guides are reviewed when relevant regulations or standards change and when readers report problems. Reader corrections sent to [email protected] are checked against sources in the same way. If a correction changes advice, the guide is updated and the change is noted, as described in our editorial policy.
Limits
Careful checking reduces errors but cannot eliminate them, and general guidance cannot account for every workshop. Our disclaimer explains how to use the guides safely, and our research approach is described on how we research.