Prior to their 1922 acquisition by Porter-Cable, Ray L. Carter was the president of Syracuse Sander Manufacturing Co.. In April of 1922 Carter applied for a patent on a handheld electric router.
Carter was, perhaps unknowingly, following in the footsteps of George L. Kelley. Carter's first attempt was a modified electric tool for barbers. Over the next decade he received a total of 22 patents, mostly related to routers. He devised improved bits, collets, tool grinders, dovetail jigs, butt mortising gauges, and so on. He also developed stationary overarm routers, which is what qualifies him for mention on this woodworking machinery site.
The earliest mention we have found of R. L. Carter Co., Inc. is from 1927, but the firm likely dates back to 1922 or 1923. Sometime in 1930 or 1931 the business was acquired by The Stanley Works, where it operated as the R. L. Carter Division of Stanley.
Handheld power tools are outside the scope of this web site. Please do not upload pictures of handhelds!
Information Sources
- Much of the information on Carter's inventions and product line comes from patent records.
- 1936 catalog titled, "Stanley Works (R. L. Carter Division), Carter equipment for the woodworking industry - catalog no. 55."
- Thanks to Keith Bohn, Dave Potts, and Tony Bradley for contributing information related to R. L. Carter Co., Inc. The connections to Syracuse Sander and Porter-Cable are due to Tony and Dave, respectively.
- Carter is often incorrectly credited with founding Unit Electric Co. of Syracuse, which made handheld power tools, including routers; the true founder appears to be Elmer P. Sacrey.