Making Mounting Plates Fit a Curved Surface

Skip Baker, WHITE CAP, #3

I was shown a no-brainer way to make mounting plates at the repair facility where my boat was being worked on.

First use a compass to approximate the curve of the mast on the plate. As usual, cut the curve that has been scribed with a band saw. The no -brainer part involves the rolls of sandpaper that are used with power sanders that have adhesive attached to the back of it. The type that is made for orbital sanders and has a roll of sandpaper in which the circular pads are scribed to be removed from the roll.

Stick the whole strip of sandpaper rolls against the mast so that the sandpaper coats the area of the mast where the mast plate will sit. Then rub the roughly formed face of the mast plate against the mast until the surfaces mate. Peel the sandpaper away and clean both surfaces.

Cover the bottom of the plate with 5200 and duct tape it in place for about 48 hours. Then drill the mounting holes through the plate and mast, attach the winch plate to the mast and the job is done.

The procedure works with just about any curved surface.