Training

Richard Kimberley set up his welding workshop 35 years ago after undergoing intensive training for several years at The Welding Institute (TWI). This is an internationallyrenowned centre of welding research and development in the UK.

Specialist Welding: Crankcases

This experience at TWI gave Richard the confidence to launch himself into self- employment. A large Colchester-based engineering company had at that time an urgent
requirement for expert welding services. This was in the field of developing processes to weld, in-situ, large mild steel YJ crankcases on board Naval vessels. Richard spent the 1990s travelling the world welding cracks in engines onboard ships and aircraft carriers, sometimes receiving the crankcases at the RKS workshop for repair and refurbishment. The door has, however, largely closed on this kind of work because of the retirement of these engines from worldwide service.

Aero work

Richard’s enduring interest in aircraft and flying became a very important side of RKS’ business quite early on in his career. His abilities and experience grew with completion of his own successive restoration projects. This progressed to the BGA and LAA granting him inspectorship and certification privileges. He is committed to providing the maintenance and repair services which are involved in keeping BGA gliders/motorgliders
and LAA Permit aircraft airworthy.

Specialist Welding

Richard is using his specialist welding skills to support enthusiasts who are involved in their own restoration projects of any sort of vehicle or machine. These customers know that in Richard, they have found an intuitive engineer who understands their whole project.

Below is an illustration of the kind of people who benefit from the services offered at
RKS.

Client Type

Aero Maintenance Companies

Essex And Suffolk Classic Porsche Garages

Manningtree Car Servicing And MOT Garage

Stanway Engineering Workshop

Sudbury Engineering Workshop

Manningtree Area Photographic Company

Engine Overhauling Companies Who Repair Industrial Diesel Engines

Colchester Racing Car Team

Local Restorers Of VW Campervans

Motorbike Enthusiasts (including vintage
and vintage military)

Suffolk Engine Company

Vintage Car Enthusiasts

Boat Owners

Task

Approved welding repairs to engine frame and fuselage carbon steel structures. Welding broken or corroded stainless exhaust manifold

Weld repair GTS magnesium crankcases.
Weld repair Magnesium gear box casings.
Weld 911/912 Aluminium cylinder heads.
Weld repair damaged Porsche wheels.

NDT, weld and repair damaged Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche wheels

Precision welding of batches of free issue small metal components eg swing bridges, cathode weldments, flipper dogs, crank arms.

Weld repair of cast iron water pump, Ducatti cylinder heads, Jeep blocks, Jaguar cylinder head

Weld aluminium staging sections and servicing trailers including electrics

Weld rocker boxes, pulleys, governor casings, camshafts, fuel pump housings, exhaust manifolds and mild steel crankcases

Weld magnesium gearbox casings and aluminium components

Assistance on extensive restoration projects

Weld various broken parts

Weld aluminium underwater surveying equipment.

Weld various broken parts

Stainless steel fittings.