Hi Patrick, So i didn't sandblast my base; i sanded it, filled it, sanded, primed, sanded, primed sanded, top coated sanded and top coated a couple more times.
As far as i figured; the top was probable turned upside down then the insides attached, then flipped and dropped in the base, then the backer- plate tilt-wheel assemble installed as a unit, then it was filled and painted.
The backer plate/ tilt-wheel assemble;Take the backer plate, push the tilt-wheel shaft through it insert the key, then bolt it to the base.
So if you assemble the backer-plate only to the base, then put the top on, then put the tilt-wheel shaft through you cannot get access to get the key in.
As i wanted to paint the base prior to assemble, I attached the backer plate, filled and painted the base. So i cut the keyway through to the end of the shaft, that way i could place the key inside and slide the shaft in over the key.
If you are not going to fill and blend the backer plate, then you can paint the base, drop the top on, then slide in the complete backer plate and tilt-wheel assemble with no problem.
I have to agree with you the factory way to assemble this is pretty weird, not something that i would have expected, but i cant see any other way that it could go together.
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