Always put the blade and plate on the same way each time. mark them so you know, after awhile they will fit precisely and be married to each other.you don't want to put the plate on backwards as it will throw this marrage out of wack and won't perform to it's potential. The blade sorta sharpens itself this way. And always make sure to tighten up good. Even if you need to hit it with a block of wood to loosen, Wood not a metal hammer.