Totally agree about adapting. But I'm not so sure it's about shop versus homemade. Homemade varies hugely too, according to the exact recipe, and the precise ingredients. But for your bread, I guess whatever works is what works. Which, as you say, is about adapting.
And, as it 'appens, I've got my beady little eyes on a rather tasty looking Panasonic breadmaker right now. Not cheap, though, and whether it's worth it or not is putting me off, when there's so many cheaper models out there.