Tab, 3/16 Hole, .060 Thick

OVERVIEW

When you are deep into a custom air-cooled build, whether it is a ground-up restoration of a 1967 Beetle or a rugged tube-chassis sand rail, it is the small details that define the professional quality of your work. The A&A Manufacturing 3/16-inch hole fabrication tab is a must-have component for any serious builder looking to move away from crude, hand-cut brackets and toward a clean, uniform finish. These tabs are precision die-stamped from high-quality mild steel, ensuring that every single piece is identical in dimension and structural integrity. By utilizing these pre-manufactured tabs, you eliminate the tedious hours spent cutting, grinding, and filing raw steel, allowing you to focus your energy on the actual engineering and assembly of your Volkswagen project. At Appletree Automotive, we understand that off-road environments and high-performance street driving demand components that can withstand constant vibration and stress, and these .060-inch thick tabs provide the perfect balance of lightweight design and reliable strength.

Versatility is the name of the game with the FAB-3054 tab. While they are small in stature, their utility is nearly limitless in the realm of VW fabrication. These tabs are ideally suited for mounting brake line clips, securing fuel lines, anchoring wiring looms, or even acting as lightweight body panel mounting points on a Baja Bug or Manx-style buggy. The 3/16-inch hole is perfectly sized for standard hardware or rivets, providing a snug fit that prevents rattling or hardware fatigue over time. Because they are delivered in bare, clean mild steel, they are ready to be TIG or MIG welded directly to your chassis, roll cage, or floor pan right out of the bag. Stop settling for "good enough" with home-made brackets and step up to the industry standard used by professional off-road fabricators and air-cooled specialists worldwide. Having a handful of these in your toolbox ensures that you are always ready to solve a mounting challenge with a clean, professional-grade solution.

FITMENT

These fabrication tabs are universal weld-on components designed for custom applications across the entire air-cooled VW spectrum and beyond. While they are "universal," they are most commonly utilized on the following models:

• Volkswagen Beetle: All years (1946-1979) for custom chassis and accessory mounting.
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956-1974 models.
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1950-1979 (Splitscreen and Bay Window) for fuel and brake line routing.
• Volkswagen Type 3: Notchback, Squareback, and Fastback models.
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): Ideal for ruggedizing the interior and exterior mounting points.
• Meyers Manx & Dune Buggies: Essential for tube chassis fabrication and body mounting.
• Sand Rails & Off-Road Racers: Used extensively on chromoly and mild steel tube frames.
• Baja Bugs: Perfect for mounting light bars, oil coolers, and fender supports.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: A&A Manufacturing
• Part Number: FAB-3054
• Material: High-Quality Mild Steel
• Thickness: .060 inch (Approximately 1/16 inch)
• Hole Diameter: 3/16 inch
• Total Height: 3/4 inch
• Manufacturing Process: Die-Stamped for precision and consistency
• Finish: Bare Steel (Requires coating after welding to prevent rust)
• Quantity: Sold Individually (Each)

PRO TIPS

1. Perfect Surface Preparation for Superior Welds

Even though these tabs are clean when they arrive, I always recommend a quick prep before they hit the chassis. Since they are mild steel, they can develop a light film of oil or oxidation during shipping. Hit the weld area of the tab and the mating surface on your frame with a clean Scotch-Brite pad or a fine-grit sandpaper until the metal is bright and shiny. This ensures maximum penetration and a weld that won''t fail when you are bouncing through the whoops in the desert. If you are TIG welding, a quick wipe with acetone will remove any lingering contaminants for a stack-of-dimes finish.

2. Prevent Heat Distortion and Melting

Because these tabs are .060-inch thick, they are relatively thin compared to heavy-duty chassis plates. When welding them to a thicker wall tube, such as 1.5-inch .120-wall DOM, focus most of your arc heat on the thicker tube and "wash" the puddle onto the tab. This prevents you from blowing through the tab or melting the edges. If you are mounting multiple tabs in a row for a brake line run, use a piece of 3/16-inch rod or a long bolt through the holes to keep them perfectly aligned while you tack weld them into place.

3. Post-Weld Corrosion Protection

Never leave these tabs as bare steel once the welding is complete. Because of their locationoften under the car or near the wheelsthey are prime targets for road salt, moisture, and mud. After the weld has cooled, clean the area thoroughly. I recommend using a high-quality zinc-rich primer or a weld-through primer if you are doing assembly in stages. For a show-quality look on a street Beetle, many builders will powder coat the entire chassis after these tabs are installed, ensuring the tab and the weld are fully sealed against the elements for decades to come.