Hat Channel Measurements

[o1marc]

Heading out now to pick up the hat channel for an International. Still need measurements on hat channel for Thomas and BB. Anyone?

[lebusmagique]

How exactly do I measure the channel? I should be done with most of the demolition by this weekend.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by lebusmagique

How exactly do I measure the channel? I should be done with most of the demolition by this weekend.

Measurements can be done after removing a pair of windows.
Thickness of metal
Total width of wings (hat brim)
width of channel
depth of channel

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by lebusmagique

How exactly do I measure the channel? I should be done with most of the demolition by this weekend.

Try square tubing for a BB. May save you a ton of money and time if you find some that fits. Wes aka MuddaEarth did.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Try square tubing for a BB. May save you a ton of money and time if you find some that fits. Wes aka MuddaEarth did.

Thank you.
I was trying to remember who's build thread it was.

I tried to buy square tube for my Bluebird. Local metal supplier insisted that there is no such thing as 1-3/8" square tube.....

[Gdog 5651]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Thank you.
I was trying to remember who's build thread it was.

I tried to buy square tube for my Bluebird. Local metal supplier insisted that there is no such thing as 1-3/8" square tube.....

I don't know about 1 3/8" square I used 1 1/4 tubing on my BB and it fit perfectly. Gene

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Gdog 5651

I don't know about 1 3/8" square I used 1 1/4 tubing on my BB and it fit perfectly. Gene

Mine is definitely 1-3/8".

When I couldn't find 1-3/8" I bought 1" square tube and 3/8"x1" flat stock and welded the flat to the square. It fit perfectly but took forever to do. Scrapped that plan and had c channel bent up.

[lebusmagique]

Do I also have to cut off a piece so I can get those interior measurements?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by lebusmagique

Do I also have to cut off a piece so I can get those interior measurements?

You shouldn't, after removing the 2 windows the complete rib is exposed.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by lebusmagique

Do I also have to cut off a piece so I can get those interior measurements?

To be safe, I did take a sample to the fabricator. They came out perfect.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

To be safe, I did take a sample to the fabricator. They came out perfect.

Same here.