UPDATE 2-UK engineers give upbeat outlooks; sees market recovery

* Cos say uncertain about timing, strength of recovery

* Charter sees FY results beating own estimates * Spectris says well placed as markets return to growth

* Tomkins says H2 to be better than H1 * Charter shares down; Spectris, Tomkins stock up (Recasts, adds details)

Nov 5 (Reuters) - British engineering firms gave upbeat outlooks as they were confident about an economic recovery and expected stabilisation in their markets, but were uncertain about the timing and strength of the recovery.

Tool and equipment maker Charter International (CHTR.L) said on Thursday it expected its full-year results to beat own estimates with overall trading conditions remaining generally stable.

Charter said restructuring plans at its welding and cutting-tools division ESAB were delivering in line with expectations and that it was on track to achieve cost savings of 50 million pounds ($82.8 million) this year.

However, the company said it might further reduce jobs and other costs due to low activity levels across the cutting business.

Since November last year, ESAB has cut jobs, closed two consumables factories and reduced manned capacity in Europe and North America to save costs.

"The recovery looks as though it will be slow and uneven, with some regions and industries faring better than others," said Charter, whose shares were trading down 3.7 percent at 672.0 pence at 1119 GMT.

Precision instrument and controls company Spectris Plc (SXS.L) said it was well placed as its markets return to growth and noted a stabilisation in demand.

However, Spectris said its sales for the four months ended Oct. 31 were 4 percent lower than the prior year. On a constant currency basis, sales fell 19 percent.

The company said it expected to benefit from its restructuring programme in 2009 and 2010.

"With continuing low production levels in many of the industries we serve, we are planning for a gradual recovery in our markets commencing in 2010," Spectris said.

Engineer Tomkins (TOMK.L) said it expected its second half to be better than the first half with month-on-month improvement in its financial performance, aided by higher activity levels in the automotive original equipment market.

The company, which closed 19 facilities and cut 5,600 jobs since the start of the year, said its restructuring initiatives remained on schedule for completion in 2010.

Spectris shares were up 1 percent at 684 pence at 1119 GMT on the London Stock Exchange, while Tomkins shares rose 1.8 percent to 172.6 pence. ($1=.6040 Pound) (Reporting by Tresa Sherin Morera in Bangalore; Editing by Vinu Pilakkott)