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Expert tips, case studies and advice to answer all your welding questions

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Latest news, expert tips and top products
Welding Blankets – Choosing the correct one
Choosing the correct welding blanket can be a difficult task. With so many options on the market it can be hard to ensure you get the one which best suits your requirements. Materials Welding blankets were previously made from woven asbestos, but due to safety concerns production of these ceased….
Christmas Opening
Rapid will be closed from 12.30pm Tuesday 24th December until 8am Thursday 2nd January 2020. The last day for us to despatch goods will be Monday 23rd December 2019 and we will recommence on 2nd January 2020. Our Webshop will be open as normal, 24 hours a day, over the…
Meet the team – Stuart
Stuart has been part of the Rapid team for over 18 years starting as a stores person and gradually working his way through the ranks up to Operations Director. The best part of Stuart’s job is watching his team excel and being part of a growing company. He gets to…
Choosing the correct welding blanket . . .
Choosing the correct welding blanket can be a difficult task, with so many options on the market it can be hard to ensure you get the one which best suits your requirements. MaterialsPreviously welding blankets were made from woven asbestos, due to safety reasons production of these ceased. Now, more safer…
World’s First – Bluetooth Welding Helmet – Fronius’s New Visor Connect
Throughout a 6-8 hour day of welding, a welder can ignite the arc more than a hundred times. Every time the arc is ignited, there is a split-second delay before an automatic auto-darkening filter cartridge reacts and closes. The new, Fronius Vizor connect uses Bluetooth technology, to auto darken the…
Meet the team – Karen
Karen has been part of the Rapid team for over 9 years and is a fundamental member of the service team. Initially Karen sold gas on behalf of Air Products, but now enjoys bossing around the Service Engineers, working as the team administrator based in Hedge End. She’s the first point…
Welders Gift Guide 2019
When it comes to buying gifts, welders aren’t known to be the easiest to buy for. Welding is a popular hobby as well as a profession, so with that in mind we have put together a practical gift guide to find something the welder in your life will love. Welding…
Panther Safety Range
Rapid is pleased to announce that we will now be stocking and selling the Panther safety range. Staying safe and protected is essential when working in any environment. The Panther range offers hard-wearing welding safety equipment which is ideal for workshop use. This range offers protection from sparks and heat…
Meet the team – Richard
Richard has been part of the Rapid team for over 8 years and is a fundamental member of the website team. He is responsible for the upkeep of products and content on the website as well as other channels like eBay and Amazon. His favourite part of his role is…
Introduction to Arc / Stick Welding
Arc welding is one of several methods of using fusion for the joining of two metals. During the welding process intense heat is created by the electric arc to melt the metal and cause fusion. The arc is formed between the two pieces of metal being fused together and the…
Optrel Crystal with e3000 10Hr PAPR package has been replaced with the new e3000X 18Hr PAPR system
The Optrel Crystal with e3000 10Hr package has now been discontinued and has been replaced with the new e3000X 18Hr package, which when paired with the Optrel Crystal for PAPR is currently the same price! The e3000X Powered Air Purifying Respirator is the new league for fresh air and breathing…
Rent, lease or buy welding equipment?
The decision to rent, lease or buy welding equipment often depends on how often it will be used, the amount of equipment required and length of time in which it will be required for. If equipment is going to be used more than 60-70% of the time for multiple jobs,…
Rapid Welding is pleased to announce that we are now official distributors for Furick
Furick specialise in the creation and production of TIG torch accessories. With Furick’s extensive knowledge and experience within the welding industry including the fabrication of F1 exhausts, they have designed their range with the sole purpose to make only quality innovative products. The complete range of Furick products are available…
Choosing the best way to clean your TIG Welds . . .
Effective finishing and cleaning of a TIG weld is a crucial part of the post-welding process. The welding process can cause discolouration, heat tints and burn marks. Removing these can subsequently improve corrosion resistance, which in the long run will increase the durability of a weld and preserve the physical…
A very happy Rapid customer . . .
I think it safe to say we have a very happy customer! Two new Fronius machines and an Optrel Crystal helmet, not to mention a Rapid mug! What more could one welder want? This happy chap is the latest of our customers to be benefitting from Fronius’s quality manual welding…
The new Speedglas G5-01 flip-up heavy-duty welding helmet
Adjust your welding helmet, not yourself. Control the way you see and feel when welding. This new helmet is based on extensive input from welders doing heavy-duty, high amperage welding and grinding. The new design is as versatile as you are. Natural Colour Technology: A more natural light stateSpeedglas have…
“We welders have our own distinctive bond, as strong as the metals we join.”
Charles “Charlie” Coffin















