Thanks for the complements,
I will try to snap some more pics later, but to answer the questions
The when I cut the pieces of stainless I drilled and countersunk the mounting holes.
I attached the controller plate over the existing t-stat opening in the front of the freezer with stainless countersunk sheet metal screws.
I attached the backsplash with the ss screws that came with the door kick plate.
the holes for the shanks were laid out in the back plate, 1/4 center hole were drilled, then I punched them out using a 7/8" Knock out set.
I then attached the splash plate to the collar and used my drill press and 7/8" spade bit through the holes in the ss plate to bore the holes in the oak collar.
when I removed the original t-stat, the probe was installed in a capillary behind the compressor that was sealed with a rubber cap.
I pulled the temp probe out and pushed the RTD probe that I used into the capillary. It was a tight fit, and it is not in as far as the original probe was, but it is in far enough to be accurate as I checked it against a wireless thermometer I have and they were less than two degrees different.