This is a pic of the ID plate
  of a Cataract lathe when they
  were made in Buffalo NY.  
I think Cataract refers to
  Niagra Falls, very near Buffalo.
I believe Hardinge brothers
  were also at that time, making
  collets in Rochester NY, which
  also has cataracts, used for 
  power in the mills and factories.
This may also have been where the 
  Cataract name came from.
  Anyone know for sure??

--Doozer in Buffalo NY
doozer75@roadrunner.ncom