Look at the picture of the alignmen rods. Look at the points?
If the points do not align, that puts a Tweek on the tube of the
scope. It's not to keep from making marks on the scope or
the scope moving on the rings. Try putting a tube through two
holes that are off center and see what happens to the tube. You
might have to use a straight edge to tell, but it will be Tweeked.
It's like looking thru a bent barrel. We are talking about an Optical
tube here, not just any tube. If the alignment points are true on
the rods. You don't need to lapp the rings, but if they are'nt, go
ahead and tighten down the Tops and Tweek your scope as much
as you want. The alignment rods are to see how much the rings
are off, if they look good you're done.