7x Tailstock Cam Lock

This was my first complex project and I was learning many different machining processes in order to complete it. The hardest was to make the actual cam piece. Additionally, I attempted to do the project with easily obtainable, local, hardware store stock & pieces.

One overlooked piece is the bottom plate that slides in the lathe bed way. I have yet to see an aftermarket cam lock kit that includes an upgrade for this. They just use the existing plate which is prone to bending after regular use.

 This piece is the piston through which the cam turns. The bottom of the piston has a hole drilled and tapped to attach the bottom plate. The piston slides up and down inside of the main housing.
 The top is threaded for a 1/2" bolt.

 Main housing made of out of ?" hex stock. Bored ?" for the piston.
Piston inside of housing.

 1/2" bolt threaded into the piston. The bolt will join to the bottom plate.

Here the bottom plate is attached to the bolt and piston. The 1/2" drill bit is through the housing and piston where the camshaft will go.

Two pieces of bar stock are welded together to form the bottom plate.

The head of the nut had to be shaved to be flush with the plate.

Unlocked and then locked positions of the lever.

The camshaft dismantled. It uses two E-clips to keep it in place.