The MFSC or “multi function shop cart”, is a cart that performs several functions and which is designed to assist woodworkers all along the construction of a piece of furniture, from the first to the last step.
The MFSC in “wheel cart” mode
While working in my workshop I encountered several problems that were slowing me down or causing frustrations, such as the need for a cart to move around parts from tool to tool, the need for a height adjustable assembly table, the occasional need for additional work benches or the need for drying racks. For most of these problems there are commercial solutions, but these are costly and would have filled my work shop while only being used periodically.
The MFSC can still be used as a traditional multi-function work bench
So about 3 years ago in 2014 I had the idea to design a single cart that would solve as much of these problems as possible, it had to be a work bench, a wheel cart, a rack and adjustable in height. As soon as I started drawing a prototype, it became clear that combining these apparent simple functions in a solid and reliable manner, would be extremely complicated as nobody had ever done this. I went through numerous different designs and approaches, but always encountered technical problems or unacceptable compromises.
Showing the different clamping options
This project stayed in the back of my head for years, and I noted down and tested each new idea that came up, but it was only in the summer of 2017 that I found a way to solve a major issue that was blocking all progress, mainly the side arm design.
From then on things speeded up, I built a prototype before having finished the design of the lift mechanism. Many other problems showed up, mainly finding a way to operate the lift mechanism easily, and taking away play. This took a few more weeks to solve, but eventually every problem was solved and I built 2 final models straight away in august 2017 for myself, and have been using them since.
Showing the MFSC used as a cart to move work pieces from tool to tool around the shop
Before having the MFSC I used some kind of shopping cart with paint buckets on it and a plywood panel to move around parts in my shop, which can be seen in my previous videos. I could have obviously built a dedicated cart for this, but also drying racks, additional work tables, an adjustable assembly table or a panel cart. All these designs exist and can be made/bought. But in my production oriented shop I would have needed two of each to be really useful, that would have cost a fortune and I didn’t have the room any way because then we’re talking about at least 10 different carts/workbenches.
I drew in sketchup all the other tools this replaces, my shop is generously dimensioned but there is no way I could afford to lose this amount of space, especially knowing that I have two of each in my MFSC’s.
But as you never really need all these functions simultaneously I thought of designing a single cart that would assist me all along the production of furniture, from ripping the rough parts to the application of the finish. Transforming along the way to adapt to the different needs.
MFSC in panel cart mode
Above you can see the MFSC used to hold panels at the table saw, previously I had nothing for this purpose and in my previous videos you can see how I would basically throw all the parts flat on the floor as I was cutting them. That was far from ideal as it could damage the parts, throw up dust and then had to be picked up again and carried around by hand.
Above you can see the MFSC used to transport parts from the saw to the shaper, no time is lost with doing several trips and trying to balance them against a wall next to the shaper.
MFSC in lowered work bench mode
Above you can see it being used as a adjustable height work bench, so that I can work at a comfortable height. In the past I would do this either high up on my assembly table, or on the floor. It can be lifted from 62cm to 90cm height in increments of 30mm. (24,4 inches to 35,4)
The MFSC being used as an assembly table
One of the major features for me is the ability to do assembly work on it at an adjustable height, gone the days of working on your knees. This was really missing from my work shop as I either had the floor or the top of my assembly table, nothing in between. But again an adjustable assembly table is something all woodworkers need, but only during a specific stage of the fabrication. Most of the time it would just sit in the way.
MFSC used as a clamping/gluing table
The MFSC was a great opportunity to incorporate a feature I thought of when using my Bessey KRV clamps with the little support blocs that hold them upright. I thought of building a table with similar notches that would hold the clamps, but again, a table that does only that would be a waste of space most of the time. Here I decided to incorporate this into the flip side of the MFSC, up to then I would like most woodworkers do my clamping work on top of my main work bench. This creates several problems, the first is that it renders the work bench useless as long as the glue hasn’t dried, and second, the glue would drip on my work bench and create a mess.
Doing this on the flip side of my MFSC’s solves this, I can do twice as many glue ups and still keep my main work bench free, I can roll them away and let it dry much longer while keeping the work space free. Also glue drippings don’t matter any more as they fall on the under side of the work top.
MFSC used as (drying) racks
Initially I wanted to insert sticks directly into the table to use use it as a rack, but that would have made it too limited in capacity, so I designed these perforated stiles that lock onto the table and can be spaced randomly, they also store inside the MFSC along with the sticks.
Again this is something every woodworker needs at a particular moment during the fabrication, before I had these I would just place all these parts on all my worktops and on the floor. I would plan these operations for the end of the day because the work shop couldn’t be used for at least 10 hours after. I could have bought/made similar racks but just look at the space they take.
How it works
Below you can see the internals, I had to design this mechanism from scratch so that it was fully automatic, simple and reliable. First prototypes required strings or intricate levers to make this work, but they just weren’t practical or reliable. Coming up with this wasn’t easy, but I’m very happy with the result, I have been using my two MFSC’s daily for 3 months now and there was not a single hiccup.
I built my MFSC’s for my needs, but the concept can easily be adapted to different needs, one side of the table could be a cutting table, sanding table, down draft table, saw/router table, welding table,etc… the possibilities are virtually endless. The bottom could even be adapted to house drawers instead of the panel cart function.
Below you can see how I used my MFSC carts when I was building two pieces of furniture.
Tool list
Here is a list of tools that I used to build this project, some are required (R) and other are optional (O) you need the Required tools but you can build it without the Optional tools, they just make it easier.
- router R
- table saw or circular saw R
- drill R
- jig saw R
- domino (700 and 500) O
- X-carve CNC O
- shaper O
- drill press O
- jointer planer O
Plans
I made plans of this project so that anyone can build them, plans are available in English metric, English USA*, French metric (Français) and German metric (Deutsch).
For the US market I made an English version where I used imperial sheet goods, note however that the plan is still in metric dimensions, but made with sheet goods in imperial thickness.
Plans page here
The plans contain a 30+ page long manual with pictures of every step, a material list, a cut list, the 3d sketchup model and print out templates.
It’s thanks to the support of people buying my previous plans that I was able to spend time and money to develop such a complex project.
I used a thread cutting jig to make the knobs, these knobs are solid and have thick threads, meaning that they require fewer turns to be tightened. However I still added instructions on how to make these with standard steel wood-bolts.
Hi Timothy. Impressive looking plan as always. Will be buying it. Quick question. Did you consider incorporating a tilting hinge to help lift an entire sheet of ply onto a table saw and if so any reason for not incorporating it? I find as I get older I’m increasing looking for a solution that doesn’t result in three days of back pain. Cheers. Mark
I wanted to incorporate that feature, but the arms from the lifting frame make that nearly impossible. However it’s possible to make an add-on to carry and tilt panels with the table lowered, or perhaps something as well in panel cart mode. But there are so many things this could do, that I had to stop somewhere.
Material Mate from Rockler.com does just this that you want.
Timothy, I’ll be first on your buying list when the plans are up. I am half way through building out your workshop (building 3 workbenches with centre one modified to accomodate my Bosh 12″ glide saw) at the moment. It is a pleasure to construct using your detailed plans and descriptions.
Hi Charles, plans are up, I’d love to see what you have done with my other plans. Don’t hesitate to send me pictures.
Ciao Timothy,
what are the dimension of the table?
Hello Giulio, I have just added a drawing with dimensions at the bottom of the page.
i wish i had a large enough workshop to warrant making this. it looks awesome and would help me so much. as soon as i get a large enough shop in the future to warrant this i will build it.
I’m not sure I have a big enough shop and mine is 25X50X12.5’.
سعد
مرحبا.. جميلة ورائعه
هل هي للبيع..؟
just the plans are for sale
فقط الخطط
Wirklich toll. Das gab es noch nie so ein multifunktionaler Tisch. Sehr sehr schön. Gruß René
Bonjour Timothy, et félicitations pour toutes tes réalisations 🙂
Merci à toi et à bientôt
Definitely my next project. Purchasing the plans right after posting this! I wonder how long it will be before some major corporation approaches you for the “rights” to this extremely innovative MFSC.
How do I order the plans in English for the mfsc?
In the “plans” menu above you can select the plan, and then the language. English is the standard language but you can select others.
Please add me to your mailing list.
It’s done.
Hi Timothy, do you have an idea how much weight you can lift with it approximately?
Hi Jacob, No idea really, I haven’t used it to lift things, but it lifts fairly easily so it can take some weight.
Nice!
Greg Ives New Zealand
wish I had some thing like this 240 years ago instead of 4 others as you said you had your self
Timothy, the MFSC is just what I was looking for. Had to leave stationary tools behind in the move from NH to SoCal. Going Festool in in the garage after the holidays.
This should speed things up quite a bit!
Very nice design and well thought out. I am going to purchase your plans and build one for myself.
I was pay for Building the MFSC,but is not completely for Plan,not detail explains,example for item like “DRYING RACK” & Thickness for “RACK SYSTEM”,please completely for your PLAN,…..thank you
Hello Andi, the build of the rack system with dimensions is explained on page 30 of the plans.
Hi Timothy we have built 2 MFTC and they happley work everyday in Toronto on one we modified it to use air filled tires for rough ground Works great We just got the plans for MFSC very detailed my question is can the templates be used as downloaded or should be enlarged when printing Thanks Robert
Hello Robert,
That’s great to hear, don’t hesitate to send me pictures of your MFTC’s
The templates should be printed to “full size”, not “fit to page”, there are some measures written on them, so once printed you can check if the measures correspond to reality.
fantastic job Timothy I really enjoyed build up your MFTC,,,,
Hi Timothy,
Do you have an idea of how much it cost, and how long it takes to make?
Thanks,
Joseph
It probably costs around €150 in materials and can be done in 2 weekends I reckon.
Great ideas. I look forward to building the MFTC after I finish moving into my new shop. Noticed you have some Felder equipment. How do you like them as I have a bunch of Powermatic (Tablesaw, Jointer, Planer, Bandsaw etc.) and thinking about switching. Felder is close to me and am thinking about one of their combo machines. Also – where did you get those great coveralls? Keep up the great work/ideas.
Hi David,
Can’t say much, if anything negative on my Felders. They allow me to work frustration free. I can’t compare to powermatic in terms of quality as I have never seen or used any in person. But their designs look very retro, as if they barely evolved since the 50’s. While in Europe there was a race amongst manufacturers to innovate or die.
My workwear is all from Engelbert Strauss, good stuff.
Hello Timothy,
Congratulation for this new project that I’m thinking to do too by purchasing your plan.
You said you were using thread cutting jig to make the knobs. Where have you bought them? do you have a link to see the jig?
Hello Damien,
I bought mine from Baptist.nl “hout tap set” it’s a no-brand so it’s difficult to reference, Axminster UK also sells the same “wood threading kit”
Hi Timothy,
Thanks for documenting and sharing the evolution of your design on this. I really like what you have done — and you have done it first class as always. You are very talented and present information (both in text and video) in such a professional fashion. My only wish, is that you had more time to make and publish more content. I always look forward to your posts. There no other posts that I look forward to as much. I have always been bewildered that you don’t have tons of more followers.
I will be purchasing the plans for the MFSC. I purchased your plans for the MFTC years ago, I enjoyed building it as much as I have enjoyed using it.
Keep up the great work and again thank you for taking the time to share your craft and passion with the world.
Hi Jay,
Thanks for the compliments, this year I’m seriously thinking about drastically reducing my work and spending much more time on videos and projects.
Timothy: Really appreciate your work, your efforts at sharing it and your ambition. I’ve been doing it too for almost 50 years. I am about to upgrade my table saw and am thinking seriously about the Felder K700S. Would you upgrade again from it to a more advanced model? I wrestle with deciding about more features. I’m a one man band like you so I am not in a hurry, but it is nice to have motorized rise and fall, angle settings and an outrigger that goes from neg. 30 deg to plus 45+ deg. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
David
Hi David,
Thanks for the compliments, I like my 700 so at this point I don’t see a reason to ever change. But I do regret not having the automatic parallel fence, but I recall it was a 4K option so I didn’t have the budget at the time.
Having automatic height and angle setting would be nice to have, but it’s luxury IMO, not crucial on a panel saw unless you’re really cutting panels al day. But again I simply think you should buy the best saw with the most options you can afford, you usually don’t regret taking options.
Grande lavoro! È un oggetto dalle funzionalità illimitate. Progetto molto interessante. Complimenti.
Luca Baraldi
Great concept! I am wondering how heavy the cart is?
Markus
How heavy the cart is bro? What is the budget for the machinery tool you think is ok?
good jod so creative and word hard
thakns
Hello Timothy, I just found your videos. Wonderful stuff. I was wondering if you’re still woodworking, farming or making new videos?
Good day Timothy,
My name is Jim Fentress and I live in Texas.
First I want to say that I very much like your shop and how it is set up. I understand you built it from an existing building you had for farming, but you did a great job setting it up. It shows some great craftsmanship just in its build, besides all the other projects.
I am writing today to try a different contact method. I have sent you an e-mail through the standard e-mail channels, however I have not gotten a response. I very much like the MFSC and I purchased the plans but never received a link or pdf attachment for them.
Could you please look to see if there is some complication. I have searched my junk mail folders also.
I know you are very busy with the farming business, but when you have a moment to look into this please let me know what you find.
This order was paid through PayPal.
articles are very useful, I am a happy reader of this article, I think other readers are the same, great.
A week later I have NOT revived the plans. Currently this was a wast of money.
Very helpful article. It looks beautiful and would help me so much. Recently I get a large enough shop in the future to warrant this I will build it.
Thanks
Hello there Timothy,
A debt of gratitude is in order for recording and sharing the development of your structure on this. I truly like what you have done — and you have done it top of the line as usual. You are extremely capable and present data (both in content and video) in such an expert design. My lone wish, is that you had more opportunity to make and distribute progressively content. I generally anticipate your posts. There no different posts that I anticipate to such an extent. I have consistently been puzzled that you don’t have huge amounts of more adherents.
I will buy the designs for the MFSC hold panels indicate table saw. I obtained your arrangements for the MFTC years prior, I delighted in building it as much as I have appreciated utilizing it.
Keep up the incredible work and again thank you for setting aside the effort to impart your art and enthusiasm to the world.
Bonjour Timothy!
Je comprends l’anglais mais suis plus à l’aise en French! 😉
j’admire beaucoup ce que tu as pu faire et concevoir! J’ai téléchargé le pack dont le MFTC et je me demandais si cet établi serait suffisement rigide pour supporter le travail à la main. Rabot/Ciseau. As-tu expérimenté ça?
Merci beaucoup!
Great article with an excellent idea! I appreciate your post. Very helpful article. It looks beautiful and would help me so much. Recently I get a large enough shop in the future to warrant this I will build it.
Hi Timothy I bought your plans around 1 month but I haven’t receive it yet could you please send it my way I sent you a message today and a month ago thx!
COMMENThola compre un pac de planos y no pude descargarlos me podrías ayudar porfabor
Bonjour, je me permet de revenir vers vous car j n est toujours pas reçue les plans table MFSC que je vous ai acheter.
Cordialement Alexandre
Are the MFSC plans available for purchase?