Editing Earon Carter (section)

== Paintball career ==

=== Early involvement ===

Carter was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 9 September 1944. He subsequently moved to California and worked as a machinist, including manufacturing aircraft components for the aerospace industry.[1]

According to his family's obituary, Carter established his own machining business, '''Carter Machine''', in Hawthorne, California, during the early 1980s.[1]

He became involved in Southern California's developing paintball community, including activities at Sat Cong Village, later known as [[SC Village]].

In a 2013 interview recorded by paintball historian [[Daniel Bacci]], Carter discussed his involvement with the early Sat Cong Village community and individuals including Steve "Gunner" Tetz and [[Stan Russell]].[5]

Carter was also associated with Bud Orr, who subsequently founded [[Worr Game Products]]. In a 2004 interview with ''[[WARPIG]]'', Orr recalled working alongside Carter and Russell during the early development of custom paintball markers in Southern California.[3]

=== Carter Machine ===

Through Carter Machine, Carter developed custom paintball markers and modifications based on existing equipment.

His early work included modifications to Sheridan and Nelson-based pump markers, eventually leading to the development of complete markers bearing the Carter Machine name.

Among the workshop's best-known products were the '''Carter Comp''' and '''Carter Buzzard''', custom pump-action markers produced in different feed, barrel and gas configurations.[2][6]

Carter Machine also became known for modifying semi-automatic markers, particularly the [[WGP Autococker]].

These modifications included custom body milling, barrels, bolts, pneumatic components and cosmetic finishes.

The workshop employed several machinists and technicians over the years. Consequently, not every marker bearing Carter Machine modifications was necessarily machined personally by Carter.

Former employees Marc Pascual and John Coleman provided firsthand accounts of the workshop's manufacturing methods in interviews published by Daniel Bacci in 2014 and 2017.[4][7]

=== Relationship with DYE ===

Carter was associated with [[Dave Youngblood]], who later established [[DYE Precision]].

A contemporary ''Los Angeles Times'' article published on 18 October 1990 identified Youngblood, then known as Dave DeHaan, as an employee of Carter Machines.[8]

Youngblood subsequently established his own paintball equipment business, manufacturing barrels, marker components and customised equipment.

Carter Machine and DYE maintained a close manufacturing relationship during the 1990s.

According to former employee John Coleman, the two operations shared workshop activities in Fullerton, California, during the mid-1990s.

In 1998, Carter and Youngblood relocated their manufacturing operations to San Diego.[7]