RKS consistently provides outstanding specialist welding, engineering and aero services. Our regular customers particularly value our personal service and high quality of work.
We offer the following methods:
An example of repairs offered:
Services include:
Richard holds a CAA part-66 license, and has been an LAA inspector for 25+ years as well as being a BGA inspector.
Certified aviation welding services:
Servicing and repairs for ride-on and self-propelled pedestrian mowers (not electric). Brands include Atco, Honda, John Deere, Mountfield, Toro, Westwood and more.
We want to hear from you – please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
A gallery of recent works completed by RKS
Damaged cylinder requiring repair
Weld repair completed
Repaired and cleaned
Cylinder head with crack damage
Weld repair completed
Isaacs Fury
Complete aircraft restoration
Refurbished cowlings
Panel fabrication
Piper Pawnee repair
Major wing repair
Continental engine
Motorcycle exhaust
Motorcycle exhaust repaired
Titanium welding
Cast iron cylinder head
Cast iron head repaired
Early 20th century car camshaft lobe repair for grinding and re-profiling
Porsche 356 magnesium crankcase
Porsche 356 magnesium crankcase repaired
The RKS workshop, located in Lawford, Manningtree, is easily accessible from the A12 and A14 for all customers who wish to engage our services. Of course, clients do not have to deliver their entire vehicle, boat or machine etc to the workshop. If you can send us the individual component for repair or refurbishment you can send it to us via a courier service. We return the completed jobs confidently and efficiently.
Testimonials from a sample of our customers which feature in this website reflect that we work for commercial clients, who are involved in many different industries, and for private individuals who are engaged in a wide range of projects. RKS enjoys a loyal client base because the workshop consistently produces prompt workmanship of a reliably high standard at a competitive price.
We proudly serve customers across Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and further afield throughout the UK where items can be posted, we welcome enquiries from across the country.
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"Richard has a wealth of knowledge and has serviced our garden machinery and classic cars for many years. Friendly, efficient service - he has overcome many problems and always offers good advice. We cannot recommend RKS highly enough."
Shelley Bellett
Lawnmower & Classic Car Customer
"My experience with RKS spans 40 years in classic car repair. Richard has consistently employed specialist welding to great effect, turning around projects I couldn't complete myself. A sound knowledge possessed by a good all-round engineer."
Ivan Clark
Classic Car Customer
"I have used RKS since the early 1990s generating extremely challenging jobs - from rare V8 engine rebuilds to delicate aircraft repairs and intricate marine parts. I haven't yet found something Richard can't repair or build!"
Tim Goodwin
Aeroplane, Boat & Classic Car Customer
"Richard has undertaken work for me for thirty years - motorcycle tank repair, crack-testing, chassis-straightening of my 1927 Sunbeam, and seemingly impossible tasks like welding an oil-soaked aluminium rocker box. All accomplished conscientiously at reasonable cost."
P.G.
Classic Car Customer
"I've known Richard since his earliest days, when he was repairing severely cracked industrial engine blocks - work at the limits of what seemed possible. When other engineers exceed their capabilities, Richard is their default option."
Phil Longhurst
Technology Innovator, formerly BT Labs
"Rebuilding an old boat is always a challenge, but when unobtainable alloy castings are cracked and broken, there aren't many who can repair them. RKS did the work quickly, economically and above all else, strongly!"
Neil Spooner
Ardleigh
"I have used RKS for more than 10 years for aviation-related work. Expert welding of airframe and components, repair and deep maintenance of light aircraft - always performed promptly and to my full satisfaction and that of my Inspector."
A.W.
Aviation Customer
"I was introduced to Richard after purchasing an Isaacs Fury - the best thing that could have happened. He completely rebuilt a wing after a serious airborne structural failure. His workmanship is second to none - absolutely nothing stands in their way."
Ed Styles
London
"Richard was recommended to us as a superb engineer by several aircraft owners. They were spot-on - exceptionally knowledgeable, highly skilled, and because he flies your aircraft, he understands it intimately. We wouldn't go anywhere else now."
J.C.
Essex, Piper Cub Owner
"RKS did a fantastic repair of both the wing tip and rudder on my Auster - repairing the internal tubular structure, recovering with cloth, and spraying to blend invisibly into the original. A great job."
Auster Owner
Manningtree
"Richard has a wealth of knowledge and has serviced our garden machinery and classic cars for many years. Friendly, efficient service - he has overcome many problems and always offers good advice. We cannot recommend RKS highly enough."
Shelley Bellett
Lawnmower & Classic Car Customer
"My experience with RKS spans 40 years in classic car repair. Richard has consistently employed specialist welding to great effect, turning around projects I couldn't complete myself. A sound knowledge possessed by a good all-round engineer."
Ivan Clark
Classic Car Customer
"I have used RKS since the early 1990s generating extremely challenging jobs - from rare V8 engine rebuilds to delicate aircraft repairs and intricate marine parts. I haven't yet found something Richard can't repair or build!"
Tim Goodwin
Aeroplane, Boat & Classic Car Customer
"Richard has undertaken work for me for thirty years - motorcycle tank repair, crack-testing, chassis-straightening of my 1927 Sunbeam, and seemingly impossible tasks like welding an oil-soaked aluminium rocker box. All accomplished conscientiously at reasonable cost."
P.G.
Classic Car Customer
"I've known Richard since his earliest days, when he was repairing severely cracked industrial engine blocks - work at the limits of what seemed possible. When other engineers exceed their capabilities, Richard is their default option."
Phil Longhurst
Technology Innovator, formerly BT Labs
Richard Kimberley set up his welding workshop 40 years ago after intensive training at The Welding Institute (TWI), an internationally renowned centre of welding research and development in the UK.
This experience gave Richard the confidence to launch into self-employment, initially working with a large Colchester-based engineering company who had an urgent requirement for expert welding services. Throughout the 1990s, Richard travelled the world welding cracks in engines onboard ships and aircraft carriers, developing processes to weld large mild steel crankcases in-situ on Naval vessels.
Richard's enduring interest in aircraft and flying became an important part of the business early on. His abilities grew through completing his own restoration projects, leading to the BGA and LAA granting him inspectorship and certification privileges. Today, Richard uses his specialist welding skills to support enthusiasts involved in their own restoration projects—customers who value finding an intuitive engineer who understands their whole project.
CAA Approved Welder
CAA Part 66 Certified Engineer
LAA Inspector
BGA Inspector
Get in touch to discuss your requirements and receive a detailed quote
For time-critical welding repairs, give us a call and we'll do our best to help.
07850 570231