I really did not like the canopy latch system. I purchased shoulder screws from W.M. Berg and 1/4" bearings to change it to allow for rotational motion on the post for the latch. However, the bearings do not take the amount of force the handle applys. Hence, I custom machined roatating sleeves out of 4130 steel to fit the posts. This is a major improvement! The handle works very well with the rotating sleeve. The post is s 125,000 psi stainless steal shoulder screw and the end washer is also stainless steal. The twisted mounting plate is counter bored .097" to fit the screw. It is also glued in with 3M epoxy into the mounting plate. The rear of the mounting plate uses a lock washer and nut also glued in place.
