Tab, 3/16 Hole, 1/8 Thick

Overview

When it comes to custom fabrication on your air-cooled VW, the small details make the difference between a professional-grade build and a weekend project that just won''t hold up under pressure. This A&A Manufacturing steel tab is a staple in any fabricator''s drawer, offering the perfect blend of strength and versatility for mounting essential components. Whether you are plumbing a new brake system on a rugged Baja Bug or securing throttle cables on a high-performance sand rail, these 1/8-inch thick tabs provide a rock-solid foundation that can withstand the constant vibrations and stresses of both off-road racing and daily street use. A&A Manufacturing is known throughout the racing industry for their precision-stamped components, and this tab is no exception, featuring clean edges and a perfectly centered 3/16-inch hole that eliminates the need for tedious drilling and finishing in the shop.

Investing in high-quality weld-on tabs saves you countless hours of fabrication time, allowing you to focus on the geometry and design of your build rather than fighting with scrap metal. The 1/8-inch thickness ensures that you have plenty of material for a deep, penetrating weld on mild steel chassis tubing or plate, while the 3/16-inch hole is ideally sized for small hardware, Adel clamps, zip-tie mounts, or specialized line fasteners. These tabs are designed to be universal in the truest sense of the word, but they are particularly beloved by the air-cooled community for mounting fuel lines, electrical looms, and lightweight interior panels. By using a consistent, professional-grade tab like the FAB-3055, you ensure that your Volkswagen project maintains a clean, uniform look that screams quality and attention to detail from every angle.

Fitment

While this is a universal fabrication component, it is commonly used on the following air-cooled Volkswagen models and custom applications:

• Volkswagen Beetle: Ideal for mounting brake line clips to the frame horns or securing wiring harnesses along the central tunnel.
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: Used for custom interior panel mounting and hidden electrical component brackets.
• Volkswagen Bus (Type 2): Perfect for securing long fuel line runs or heater cable guides.
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): Great for custom engine bay organization and linkage supports.
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): Excellent for mounting exterior accessories or reinforcing soft-top frame mounts.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: The industry standard for mounting body panels, electronics, and plumbing to 1.5-inch or 1.75-inch tubing.
• Baja Bugs: Essential for securing fender wells, skid plate supports, and auxiliary lighting wires.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: FAB-3055
• Manufacturer: A&A Manufacturing
• Material: High-grade mild steel for optimal weldability and strength.
• Hole Diameter: 3/16 inches (Precision stamped).
• Material Thickness: 1/8 inches (.125").
• Finish: Raw steel (Requires painting or plating after welding to prevent corrosion).
• Application Type: Weld-on.
• Quantity: Sold individually.

Specialist Pro Tips

1. Proper Surface Preparation for Structural Integrity

Before you strike an arc, always ensure that the area on your chassis and the tab itself are completely stripped of any mill scale, oil, or rust. Even though these tabs arrive in clean raw steel, a quick pass with a flap disc or a wipe-down with acetone will prevent porosity in your weld. If you are welding to a powder-coated frame, you must grind back the coating at least half an inch from the weld zone. Remember, it''s much easier to clean the tab now than to have to grind out a failed weld later when your brake line bracket snaps off in the middle of the dunes.

2. The Bolt-Alignment Trick

When you are trying to weld multiple tabs in a straight linesuch as for a long fuel line or a wiring loomdon''t try to eyeball them individually. Use a long 3/16-inch bolt and a few spacers to string the tabs together before you tack-weld them. This keeps the holes perfectly aligned and ensures that your hardware will slide through effortlessly once the fabrication is complete. Always tack-weld the tabs in place first, check your alignment one last time, and then finish the weld. This prevents the heat from the welder from pulling the tab out of alignment during the process.

3. Managing Heat Soak and Corrosion

Because these tabs are 1/8-inch thick, they can take a significant amount of heat. However, if you are welding them to thinner sheet metal or light-duty tubing, be careful not to "blow through" the base material. Use short, controlled beads. Once the welding is finished and the metal has cooled