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beetleseb Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Cheltenham UK
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Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: Split bug heater channels |
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Thanks to years of storage my 50 deluxe is suprisingly rust free, but she still needs new heater channels
I refuse to use poor quality repro, but what options do I have?
I hear rumor that wolfparts and gerson are looking to make repro's but does anyone know how far along they are and what they are likely to charge?
Hookys panels shop, here in the UK make the bottoms and his panels are supurb, but hes not planning on doing the rest
Any other ideas or hints would be welcome, I'm really stuck for what to do. I'm even toying with fabing my own from small custom made sections, good repro 60's middle sections and bits cut off my channels
Help
Seb |
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johnshenry Samba Member

Joined: September 21, 2001 Posts: 9405 Location: Northwood, NH USA
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Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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I need channels for my '51 also, and am not sure exactly what to do. My plan at this point is to use oval channels and modify them where needed to make them exactly like split channels.
I have been able to find some good, dry used oval heater channels. _________________ John Henry
'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab |
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beetleseb Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Cheltenham UK
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:25 am Post subject: |
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Just a quick update for anyone interested
Wolf - will be doing them one day, but that day is a long way off
Gerson - as yet unknown
BBT are doing some repros but I am as yet to see some or find someone who has seen them. I'm normally very impressed with bobs stuff though so will probably risk it
I can get some used oval channels over here but they are expensive and I worry about how good they will really be when I open them up. They always rust inside out.
Seb |
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virtanen Samba Member

Joined: January 08, 2006 Posts: 1495 Location: Finland
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:22 am Post subject: |
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I'm planning to make the split heater channels by myself for my split. It is needed some sheet metal skills and machines. I have practiced to make sheet metal panels, it's not so difficult.
Here an example, a shelf for split engine room.
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beetleseb Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Cheltenham UK
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:40 am Post subject: |
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You got some skills!
I wish I could do that but sadly I'm not so talented
Simple bits I can do but thats some skill you have
Seb |
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johnshenry Samba Member

Joined: September 21, 2001 Posts: 9405 Location: Northwood, NH USA
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:22 am Post subject: |
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Nice work Mika!! _________________ John Henry
'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab |
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Simon3 Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2004 Posts: 84 Location: Solihull, UK
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: Heater Channels |
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Looks like it's Autocraft to the rescue.
They are working on tools and should have parts available by mid-year.
They have a NOS panel they are using as a pattern.
Give Carl a call, the more people who need them the quicker he will bring them to the market place ! |
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beetleseb Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Cheltenham UK
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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Autocraft are a way off yet
Bob at BBT has some, so its bob to the rescue.....
Seb |
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billmetric Samba Member

Joined: March 16, 2006 Posts: 1062 Location: Columbus City USA
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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who are the BBT distributors in the USA? There was a short time when it was possible to order stuff from their web site but last I checked it just directed you to the "distributors", I would buy from the web site if I could, still need pre '55: floor pans, heater channels and rear cross members, I know Wolf is close to production on the latter _________________ There is an idea of a Billmetric; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable... I simply am not there... |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17560 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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Is that galvanized sheet? _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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beetleseb Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Cheltenham UK
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:01 am Post subject: |
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Why not send them an email, they speak great english and will tell you the best place to get their bits
I'm looking forward to seeing wolfs x member, but I only really need the very end so may make one. Andy parrot (advertises in the classifieds) makes great rear x member support sections as well as really good rear 1/4 panel repair sections. Top notch, and hes a nice guy!
Hookys panel shop here in the UK now make early heater channel bottoms and you'd be hard pressed to find better
Seb |
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Hebster52 Samba Member

Joined: March 14, 2003 Posts: 1881 Location: Finland, Jakobstad
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virtanen Samba Member

Joined: January 08, 2006 Posts: 1495 Location: Finland
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:49 am Post subject: |
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Bruce wrote: |
Is that galvanized sheet? |
No, normal unplated 1.0 mm steel. |
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beetleseb Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Cheltenham UK
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:33 am Post subject: |
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Has anyone on here used the channels from bob at bbt before. They reckon the pressings are clean and good, only the metal is a touch thinner.
I can get them in the UK special order but I can't see them first so would welcome any feedback. I'm usualy impressed at bobs stuff but its better safe than sorry.
Also what is the difference with the pre53 and post 53 bottom pressings? I always thought they where the same but BBT say there is a difference?
Cheers
Seb |
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