Carter Products
Carter Products Company, Inc. is a privately held Grand Rapids, Michigan manufacturer founded in 1929 that produces precision bandsaw guide upgrades, woodturning tools, laser alignment systems, and CNC vacuum clamping products for hobbyist woodworkers, professional woodworkers, and industrial manufacturers, sold direct via its own e-commerce site and phone sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Carter Products does
Carter Products Company, Inc. is a privately held specialty tool manufacturer founded in 1929 and headquartered at 2871 Northridge Drive NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The firm operates through two divisions: a High-Tech Division producing Z-Laser 2D/3D pattern projection systems, diode and helium-neon guide line lasers, and the Challenger Award-winning Flip-Pod vacuum clamping system for CNC routers, and a Classic Division focused on bandsaw guide conversion kits, stabilizers, magnetic fences, urethane and rubber tires, AccuRight and Greenwood blades, log/miter mills, and a full portfolio of woodturning tools including AXE tools, hollowing systems, and lathe accessories.
The underlying technology stack is mechanical and optical rather than digital: precision-machined guide systems engineered for compatibility with Delta, Jet, Powermatic, Grizzly, Laguna, Rikon and Harvey bandsaws, German-engineered cableless battery-powered lasers, urethane tire formulations, and a pod-grid vacuum workholding architecture that eliminates spoil boards. The firm has continuously extended its product line over nine decades, incorporating laser modules in the 1980s and rolling out waterproof alignment lasers, custom-built blades, and pre-configured Flip-Pod kits through the present period.
The business model is direct-to-consumer, unit-priced e-commerce plus phone-based technical sales, with no disclosed retail, distributor, or channel partner relationships. Products are sold individually with prices ranging from approximately $3 (gaskets) to $695 (wide belt sander diagnostic device), with most bandsaw conversion kits priced under $400. Customer segments span hobbyist and home woodworkers, professional woodworkers and small shops, and industrial/manufacturing operations requiring alignment lasers and CNC workholding. The company is independently owned, with no disclosed external funding, parent entity, or acquisition activity.
Carter Products firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carter Products
- Legal name
- Carter Products Company, Inc.
- Website
- https://carterproducts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Carter Products Company, Inc. is a privately held Grand Rapids, Michigan manufacturer founded in 1929 that produces precision bandsaw guide upgrades, woodturning tools, laser alignment systems, and CNC vacuum clamping products for hobbyist woodworkers, professional woodworkers, and industrial manufacturers, sold direct via its own e-commerce site and phone sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Carter Products is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carter Products business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Bandsaw Products and Accessories: One-time product sales of bandsaw conversion kits, guide upgrades, blades, tires, fences, stabilizers, and accessories. Customers purchase individual components or complete upgrade systems for their bandsaws.
- Woodturning Tools and Accessories: One-time product sales of woodturning tools including AXE tools, Hollow Roller systems, Perfect Sphere tool, Perfect Hollower, and related accessories.
- Technology Products (Lasers and Vacuum Systems): Product sales of Z-Laser positioning systems, pattern projectors, line lasers, vacuum clamping Flip-Pod systems, and diagnostic/sanding accessories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bandsaw Conversion Kits - Brand-Specific Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Magfence II and F.A.S.T. System |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Log Mill and Miter Mill Systems |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ZAT Series Cableless Lasers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AccuRight Circle Cutter and Center Master |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flip-Pod Vacuum Clamp Components |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Stretch-on Rubber Tires |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ultra Blue Urethane Tires |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AccuRight Bandsaw Blades |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Greenwood Bandsaw Blades |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bandsaw Stabilizers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sanding Accessories and Diagnostic Tools |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Carter Products product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carter Products designs, manufactures, and sells precision bandsaw upgrades (conversion kits, guide upgrades, blades, tires, fences, stabilizers, table inserts, tension components), woodturning tools (AXE turning tools, hollowing systems, sphere and boring tools, lathe supports), and laser alignment/positioning products (Z-Laser 2D CPS pattern projectors, line lasers, helium neon lasers) including the Flip-Pod vacuum clamping system for CNC routers. Products are compatible with major bandsaw brands such as Delta, Grizzly, Jet, Powermatic, Laguna, Rikon, and Harvey, and are sold directly to hobbyist and professional woodworkers as well as industrial manufacturers.
Product overview
Carter Products operates two distinct divisions serving the precision tooling market. The High-Tech Division focuses on Z-Laser 2D and 3D laser projection systems capable of creating complex light patterns for manufacturing and assembly applications, along with the Challenger Award-winning Flip-Pod Vacuum Clamping System for CNC routers. The Classic Division offers an extensive portfolio of bandsaw and woodturning products including precision guide conversion kits, blade stabilizers, bandsaw tires (rubber and ULTRA BLUE urethane), AccuRight bandsaw blades and Greenwood blades, circle cutting jigs, Magfence magnetic fences, Log Mill and Miter Mill sled systems, and comprehensive woodturning tools including AXE tools, hollowing systems, and lathe accessories. The company provides over 90 years of innovation with products compatible with Delta, Grizzly, Jet, Powermatic, Rikon, Laguna, and other major brands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AccuRight: Product line for circle cutting jigs, bandsaw blades, and related precision woodworking tools.
- Greenwood
- Magfence
- Stabilizer
- Flip-Pod
- ULTRA BLUE
- Z-Laser
Products and services
- Bandsaw Conversion Kits & Guide Upgrades Precision guide upgrades that replace factory-installed bandsaw guide systems to improve blade control, tracking, and cut accuracy for resawing and detailed woodworking. Compatible with Delta, Grizzly, Jet, Powermatic, and other major brands.
- Bandsaw Stabilizer Small blade guide that improves control and accuracy when cutting with narrow blades (1/4 inch and under) for scroll cutting, detail work, and precision tight-radius curves.
- AccuRight Circle Cutting Jig Precision jig for cutting flawless circles on bandsaws up to 4+ feet in diameter with universal fit and no drilling required, featuring easy-to-read radius measurements.
- Center Master Blank Creation System System for accurately centering and mounting blanks on lathes to reduce vibration and improve turning results; available in 1"x8" and 1-1/4"x8" sizes plus a SOLO variant.
- Magfence II Magnetic Bandsaw Fence Precision magnetic bandsaw fence using rare-earth magnets for instant setup on cast iron tables with no drilling or permanent mounting required; includes Next Gen models with SWF sacrificial wear face.
- F.A.S.T. Fence Alignment System Tool Tool for quickly aligning Magfence parallel to the bandsaw blade for cleaner, more accurate cuts.
- AccuRight Log Mill Precision bandsaw log milling sled for safely converting raw logs into flat, square reference faces for milling lumber or preparing woodworking stock.
- AccuRight Miter Mill Sled system for accurately cutting log ends, ideal for bowl blanks, turning stock, and specialty woodworking projects.
- Stretch-on Rubber Tires High-quality rubber bandsaw tires sized 15-20% undersized for perfect tensioned fit; available in 6 to 42 inch diameters with heat-resistant adhesive bonding.
- Carter ULTRA BLUE Urethane Tires Exclusive high-performance urethane bandsaw tires with superior durability and damage resistance; many sizes install without adhesive for faster setup; available in 10 to 20+ inch sizes.
- Rubber Tire Adhesive Two-part epoxy adhesive designed for installing rubber bandsaw tires; one kit covers two tires sized 10 to 20 inches.
- AccuRight Bandsaw Blades High-carbon steel precision bandsaw blades with flex-back design, induction hardened teeth, precision tooth set, and matched weld; available in widths from 1/8 to 1 inch.
- Greenwood Bandsaw Blades Specialized resaw blades with .032 inch thick high-carbon steel for stability, induction hardened teeth, and matched tooth weld; available in 3/8 and 5/8 inch widths at 3 TPI for green and seasoned lumber.
- Custom Bandsaw Blades Custom-built blades to specific length, width, and TPI specifications with match tooth welding for smooth performance; welded every Tuesday and Thursday and non-returnable.
- AccuRight Zero Clearance Bandsaw Table Inserts Zero clearance table inserts that support material closer to the blade to reduce vibration, tear-out, and splintering; fits most popular bandsaw models.
- Quick Release Blade Tension Toggle Fast tension release and reapplication system for bandsaws.
- Cobra Coil Replacement Spring Replacement spring for maintaining consistent blade tension.
- AccuRight Ratchet-Rod Fine-tune blade tension adjustment tool for bandsaws.
- Clean Sweep Wheel Brush Wheel brush that keeps bandsaw wheels clean and improves blade tracking.
- AXE Woodturning Tools Advanced woodturning tools including AXE Pro Tools, Full Size Tools and Bits, and Hybrid Size Tools and Bits designed for every level of woodturner.
- Hollow Roller Lathe Hollowing Systems Hollowing system for lathe operations including boring capabilities for hollow vessel work.
- Perfect Sphere Tool Precision tool for creating perfect spheres on a lathe.
- Perfect Hollower Articulated Arm Hollowing System Articulated arm hollowing system for precision hollowing operations on a lathe.
- Strongbore Modular Boring System Modular boring system for versatile lathe boring operations.
- Lathe MultiRest Work Support System Work support system for lathes to improve stability during turning operations.
- FACE-OFF Lathe Blank Faceplate Mounts Faceplate mounts for securely holding blank materials during lathe operations.
- Lathe Collets and Tool Handles Collets and tool handles for lathe operations.
- Z-Laser 2D CPS Pattern Projector Advanced laser projection system capable of creating complex light patterns for manufacturing and assembly applications, providing precision 2D and 3D alignment.
- Series M18 Lasers Rugged, waterproof alignment lasers in a compact 20mm threaded housing; available in Basic and Standard models with red or green line projection for industrial and woodworking alignment.
- ZAT Series Cableless Lasers German-engineered, cable-free battery-operated guide lasers available in three power levels (Z1A dot, Z3A line 1'-4', Z5A line 4'-10') with approximately 15-20 hours of battery life on a single AA battery.
- ZPT-F Series Line Lasers 40mm diameter line lasers for industrial alignment and positioning applications.
- ZRG-F Series Line Lasers 40mm diameter green line lasers featuring PowerCross technology for industrial alignment and positioning applications.
- ZKV Series Circle Laser Circle projection laser for precise circular alignment and positioning applications.
- LGL Helium Neon Line Laser High-precision helium neon line laser projecting a sharp 1/8-inch wide line for exact cutting, marking, or assembly operations; includes LGL 100A and LGL 100RA models.
- Diode Laser Mounting Brackets & Accessories Complete line of mounting options for Z-Laser diode guide line lights including bar mounts, magnetic mounts, precision MXYZ mounts, power supplies, cables, and optical accessories.
- Flip-Pod Vacuum Clamping System Vacuum piece part holding system using a grid of pods fitted into a panel surface to provide sure control of vacuum without spoil boards; Challenger Award winning system for CNC routers.
- Flip-Pod Vacuum Clamp Kits Pre-configured vacuum clamp kits available in 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 pod configurations as well as custom configurations from 50 pods and up, adaptable to any CNC router with vacuum pump.
- Snap Gauge Measurement tools for accurately measuring board thickness without caliper hassles; available in 1"x1", 2"x4", and 3"x2" sizes.
- Digital Depth Gage Precision measurement device for wide belt sander calibration with solid base, large digital readout, millimeter/inch switching, and electronic zeroing; measures to .0005 accuracy.
- Wide Belt Sander Set Up / Diagnostic Device Diagnostic device for setting and checking relative height settings of contact drums, pinch rolls, and shoes throughout wide belt sanding machines.
Quantifiable outcome
- Improves resaw accuracy and reduces blade drift
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Carter Products
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Carter Products technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Carter Products partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carter Products competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rockler: Specialty woodworking retailer and tool brand serving hobbyist and professional woodworkers; competes on bandsaw accessories, jigs, and shop tools with a similar dual retail/manufactured-brand model.
- Woodcraft Supply: Specialty retailer of woodworking tools, supplies, and accessories including bandsaw blades, tires, and accessories — directly overlapping with Carter's Classic Division products and target customers.
- Easy Wood Tools: Specialty woodturning tool manufacturer serving the same hobbyist and professional lathe users as Carter's AXE and woodturning line, with comparable direct sales and premium positioning.
- MLCS Woodworking: Specialty catalog/DTC retailer of woodworking router bits, jigs, and shop accessories serving the same hobbyist audience, with overlapping bandsaw and shop accessory categories.
- Penn State Industries: US manufacturer of woodturning lathes, tools, and accessories sold direct-to-consumer — directly overlapping with Carter's woodturning division and customer base.
- Robert Sorby: Established manufacturer of premium woodturning tools (chisels, gouges, hollowing systems) — directly comparable to Carter's AXE, Perfect Hollower, and Hollow Roller woodturning product lines.
- Laguna Tools: US-based manufacturer of bandsaws and woodworking machinery serving the same professional and hobbyist segment; complementary competitor on bandsaw upgrades and precision tooling.
- Kreg Tool: Direct-to-consumer manufacturer of woodworking jigs, joinery tools, and shop accessories sold to the same hobbyist and small-shop woodworker audience as Carter, with a comparable premium-DTC brand and similar product breadth.
Regional players
- Tormek: Swedish manufacturer of precision sharpening systems sold into the same professional and serious-hobbyist woodworking channel; comparable premium, niche-specialist positioning with primary non-US distribution roots.
Broad incumbents
- Festool: Premium German power tool and accessory brand with a broader woodworking portfolio (saws, sanders, dust extraction, clamps) that overlaps Carter's accuracy-focused positioning at the high end of the hobbyist/professional market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Carter Products social profiles
Digital presenceCarter Products financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carter Products leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Carter Products funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carter Products M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carter Products
What does Carter Products do?
Carter Products designs, manufactures, and sells precision bandsaw upgrades (conversion kits, guide upgrades, blades, tires, fences, stabilizers, table inserts, tension components), woodturning tools (AXE turning tools, hollowing systems, sphere and boring tools, lathe supports), and laser alignment/positioning products (Z-Laser 2D CPS pattern projectors, line lasers, helium neon lasers) including the Flip-Pod vacuum clamping system for CNC routers. Products are compatible with major bandsaw brands such as Delta, Grizzly, Jet, Powermatic, Laguna, Rikon, and Harvey, and are sold directly to hobbyist and professional woodworkers as well as industrial manufacturers.
Is Carter Products a public or private company?
Carter Products is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Carter Products founded?
Carter Products was founded in 1929. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Carter Products based?
Carter Products is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carter Products make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bandsaw Products and Accessories are the primary driver. The others are woodturning Tools and Accessories and technology Products (Lasers and Vacuum Systems).
Who are Carter Products's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rockler, Woodcraft Supply, Easy Wood Tools, MLCS Woodworking, Penn State Industries, Robert Sorby, Laguna Tools and Kreg Tool. Tormek is listed as a regional player. Festool is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Carter Products have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carter Products.