Tab, 1/4 Hole, .085 Thick, 1-1/2 Inch Long

Overview

When you''re deep into a custom air-cooled project, whether it''s a ground-up sand rail build or a rugged Baja Bug restoration, the difference between a professional finish and a backyard hack job often comes down to the quality of your fabrication components. This A&A Manufacturing tab is a staple in the off-road and VW community, offering a precise 1/4-inch hole and a 1.5-inch overall length that provides the perfect mounting point for a variety of accessories. Crafted from high-quality mild steel, these tabs are designed to be easily welded onto your chassis, roll cage, or suspension components, giving you a rock-solid anchor point that won''t let you down when the terrain gets rough. At Appletree Auto, we know that reliability is non-negotiable, and these .085-inch thick tabs provide the ideal balance of weight savings and structural integrity for light-to-medium duty mounting applications.

Versatility is the name of the game with the FAB-3057 tab. Its slim profile and 1-1/2 inch length make it an excellent choice for securing brake lines, throttle cables, wiring looms, or even lightweight body panels and interior tins. Because it is manufactured by A&A Manufacturing, you can expect consistent dimensions across every piece, which is critical when you''re plumbing a complex chassis or setting up symmetrical mounting points. Don''t waste your shop time trying to hand-cut tabs from scrap metal when you can get clean, stamped, and ready-to-weld components that ensure your VW project looks as good as it performs. These tabs arrive in a raw steel finish, making them ready for immediate TIG or MIG welding right out of the box, followed by your choice of paint or powder coating to match your build''s aesthetic.

Fitment

While this is a universal fabrication component, it is most commonly utilized in the following air-cooled VW and off-road applications:

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: 1950 through 1979 (All models)
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus/Transporter: 1950 through 1979
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback/Fastback/Notchback): 1961 through 1973
• Volkswagen Type 181 Thing: 1973 through 1975
• Karmann Ghia: 1955 through 1974
• Custom Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: All tube chassis variations
• Baja Bug Conversions: Ideal for fender and light bar mounting
• Meyers Manx & Kit Cars: Perfect for securing custom fiberglass bodies to steel frames

Technical Specifications

Detailed measurements and material data for the FAB-3057 fabrication tab:

• Hole Diameter: 1/4 Inch (0.250")
• Material Thickness: .085 Inch (Approximately 14 Gauge)
• Overall Length: 1-1/2 Inches (1.500")
• Material Type: High-quality Mild Steel
• Manufacturer: A&A Manufacturing
• Part Number: FAB-3057
• Finish: Natural Raw Steel (Requires coating after welding)
• Quantity: Sold Individually

Pro Tips from the Shop

Tip 1: Proper Surface Preparation for Superior Welds

Before you ever strike an arc, ensure that both the tab and the mounting surface on your chassis are cleaned down to bright, shiny metal. Even though these tabs are new, they often have a thin layer of mill scale or shipping oil to prevent rust. Use a flap disc or a wire wheel to strip the area where you''ll be welding. This ensures maximum penetration and prevents contaminants like oxygen or carbon from weakening the weld bead. Remember, in a vibration-heavy environment like an off-road VW, a cold or contaminated weld is a failure waiting to happen. If you''re TIG welding, a quick wipe down with acetone after mechanical cleaning will yield the cleanest results.

Tip 2: Managing Heat to Prevent Warpage

Since these tabs are .085 inches thick, they can be sensitive to excessive heat during the welding process. If you are welding these to a thicker structural tube, such as 1.5-inch .120-wall DOM, focus the majority of your arc heat on the thicker tubing and "wash" the puddle onto the tab. This technique prevents the edge of the tab from melting away prematurely. If you''re mounting several of these in a row for a wiring loom or brake line run, stitch weld them or alternate positions to allow the metal to cool between tabs. This prevents the primary tube from warping and keeps your alignment straight across the length of the run.

Tip 3: Deburring and Finishing for Longevity

After the welding is complete and the metal has cooled, take a moment to deburr the edges of the tab and the 1/4-inch hole. Sharp edges can eventually chafe through wiring insulation or score your brake lines over time due to engine and trail vibration. Once deburred, don''t leave the steel raw for long. Air-cooled VWs are notorious for finding moisture in the most hidden places. Apply a high-quality zinc-rich primer or a chassis-specific paint immediately. If you''re building a show-quality sand rail, these tabs are perfect candidates for powder coating, but ensure you mask off the hole or run a chase bit through it afterward to maintain the proper 1/4-inch clearance for your hardware.