Installing Backing Plates

Step 1:  Find two pieces of thread stock to use as “alignment rods” that are at least 1 inch long and measure 75 percent or less of the diameter of the machine screws you’ll use to mount the hardware. The material can be brass, steel, or stainless steel. Or you can cut the head off a machine screw. Then use a file or grinding tool to make a tab at one end of the thread stock. Drill a hole in the tab, then tie a length of seizing twine through it. This will let you pull the alignment rods through the mounting holes from the inside of the mast.