Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Save up to

69% off

the cover price

In-depth articles, up-close photography, and detailed illustrations

Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe

    Discussion Forum

    Discussion Forum

    No Grizzly Shop Planner, any alternatives?

    eddo234 | Posted in General Discussion on July 24, 2022 02:14pm

    Grizzly posted this well over 1 1/2 years ago, but they didn’t come through with a new version. Anybody see any alternatives? I haven’t. And just to keep this on-track, no “cut out your own pieces of paper/cardboard and lay them on your hand drawn plan” posts please. Thanks!

    Grizzly Shop Planner V2 Coming Soon

    Google has announced that the Flash platform, on which Grizzly’s Workshop Planner was built, is no longer supported and will be blocked in the Chrome web browser starting in January 2021.

    Our developers are using this time as an opportunity to modernize and update the shop planner to include new features, new machines, and to utilize modern technologies that will work on all common web browsers going forward.

    We thank you for your patience as we work hard on version 2 of our workshop planner. Keep an eye on this page and the homepage for updates as they become available.

     

    Reply
    X

    Replies

    1. Pantalones868 | Jul 26, 2022 06:03pm | #1

      Unless you start with so much floor space that you need one of those carts with beeping lights to travel between machines no plan works. Eventually you will get to the point where you need a bigger shop or end up with a policy where if something comes into the shop then something has to go out. Moving little cut outs on graph paper works but wouldn't any Autocad program do what you want to do? I can't even imagine how a "shop planner" could be beneficial. We all have our individual requirements ,a program can't know that. A tool manufacturer creating a shop planner could however use it as a platform to sell you tools!

    2. bilyo | Jul 26, 2022 06:22pm | #2

      I'm not familiar with Grizzly Shop Planner, but if you google "Floor plan software" or "Shop plan software" you will get lots of suggestions. Like
      Pantalones868, it seems to me that most any CAD software would do the job.

    3. eddo234 | Jul 26, 2022 06:33pm | #3

      Maybe you never saw their planner, and maybe you have a CAD program. But for those of us that have and don’t, it was a great free tool, only gone because it was Flash based, which is no longer. They had exact scaled moveable 2d plan models of their machines. No matter how big or small your shop, trying to maximize your space is way easier by moving little pieces around on a plan than moving the actual machines, and quicker than drawing each one separately in a CAD program. In my case, I’ve added a couple of machines recently, and if there was a Grizzly planner equivalent out there I would be able to drag machines around to see how best to use my space without straining my back or cutting out dozens of little cardboard pieces.

    4. user-7627473 | Jul 26, 2022 07:10pm | #4

      Use 2D Sketchup or Autocad. Done.

    5. eddo234 | Jul 26, 2022 07:15pm | #5

      I guess I should have added to my original post “please don’t suggest that I learn a CAD program just for this”. If you don’t know what their planner was, or don’t know of an equivalent, feel free to scroll by.

      1. user-7627473 | Jul 27, 2022 09:20am | #11

        You asked for alternatives...as in "any alternatives?"

        1. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 09:52am | #12

          And as I said above, I should have asked to keep it to the intent of my search, for a similar app. What happens way too often in these forums goes something like this: “I’m looking for any alternative for my Subaru Outback.” “You should get a motorcycle.” :-)

    6. User avater
      Elmaduro | Jul 26, 2022 07:25pm | #6

      Good graph paper, tape measure, 0.5mm mechanical pencil, and dedicated eraser worked for me. No CAD or cardboard..

    7. eddo234 | Jul 26, 2022 07:28pm | #7

      And you dragged all the machines around the room by erasing each one and redrawing them in new places?

      1. User avater
        Elmaduro | Jul 26, 2022 08:51pm | #10

        Not the machines, but their larger, simpler, infeed/outfeed footprints. Lightly drawn and easily visualized. Get the good green graph paper, set a scale and outline your shop walls, permanent fixtures, and door swings in pen. One or two moves and it'll all fall in place pretty quick.

    8. User avater
      27B_6 | Jul 26, 2022 08:01pm | #8

      How about a black board and chalk?

    9. Gulfstar | Jul 26, 2022 08:47pm | #9

      I use an excel or numbers spreadsheet. First I set the grid square so each cell is 1 foot X 1 foot. Then I measure the footprint of each machine, table or storage rack and use the shapes, rectangle, circle etc to draw each one and drag the shape to their location. I also put an arrow to show the direction of feed. Works well.

    10. User avater
      RobertEJr | Jul 27, 2022 10:18am | #13

      3 shop expansions + remodels, and 3 iterations of dust collection ducting.....lots of "plans" ended up in the trash.

      Think about work flow, maximum efficiency to dimension lumber, where you're going to assemble. Stand in your space and get a 2x4 and visualize milling, then cutting to length.

      Often the table saw determines where everything else goes.Ultimately you figure out the work flow. Don't hard duct anything until you've used the machines a while.

      1. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 11:28am | #14

        Thanks,
        I have an existing shop. As I said, I added a couple of machines, so looking how to incorporate them into my existing workflow without major disruption. The Grizzly planner was a very fast way to rearrange things to see how efficient things might be. Good tip on the hard duct delay.

    11. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 11:33am | #15

      Thanks for all, or most :-) of the comments and suggestions. The Grizzly Shop Planner was a shop-specific very fast way to move already drawn tools and machines around a quickly created floor plan. No CAD program, chalk, or spreadsheet could do that. But the answer to my simple question seems to be a simple no.

      1. user-7627473 | Jul 27, 2022 11:57am | #17

        "No CAD program"?...not correct. I suspect if you had some experience with them you wouldn't say that either. You can get all sorts of tools (see link following) and use them/scale them/move them within a simple 2D plan i.e. "your shop". You can make a simple 2D outline of other tools e.g. For all the time writing and reading this thread a simple plan could have been accomplished in Sketchup. It would take one about the same time to learn the Grizzly app as Sketchup plus or minus.
        https:///collection/80a996a1dddd788439f8afeea95c6cfc/Woodworking-Machinery-Shop-Tools-Workbenches

        1. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 12:06pm | #18

          For free? Without having to learn a CAD program? Geez, let's get down into the weeds. :-) The point is, anyone could immediately move a shop around, no learning curve, no cost, no time-consuming "I wonder if there's a template for this machine" hunting in template libraries.

          1. user-7627473 | Jul 27, 2022 12:11pm | #19

            By the bye, it took me under ten seconds to find those Sketchup woodworking models

            1. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 12:16pm | #20

              And another 10 seconds to learn Sketchup? I'm done with this silliness.

    12. User avater
      EdWeber | Jul 27, 2022 11:37am | #16

      Pencil & paper
      Yes, I'm serious. The software can be helpful to some, but with everyone's shop being so individualized, the best the software can do is get close.

    13. Pantalones868 | Jul 27, 2022 02:16pm | #21

      I'd consider making 3d cutouts and move those around on a graph. We think about the footprints of our machines and workflow around them but the varying heights of things can interfere with that. The top of my old jointer without the fence was lower than the top of my tablesaw and even with the fence lower than my bandsaw. I recently replaced that with a combo machine and the bed is 1/2" higher than the tablesaw and that's a new problem. The tablesaw and the jointer / planer are generally side by side because that is where my maximum length is. I went for the combo machine because i believed it would give me more space. Also if the fence is on the combo machine or if its set up to plane it's higher than my bandsaw. The jury is still out on that thing. I planned to sell my old jointer but I havent gotten around to it and its clearly in my way but if the combo machine is set up to plane and dialed in to something Im working on and I need to join something well there's the old jointer sitting there...The combo machine is taking up critical space in the 3rd dimension that I never considered or didn't consider enough.
      I have a mark on my wall that is the center of my shop ,if I line up my sawblade on the tablesaw with the mark I get the maximum length of cut inside my shop. I have big doors on both ends of my shop if I need to rip or plane long boards. 20' no problem! Everything is on wheels so I can reconfigure the shop to accommodate whatever project I'm doing. If I need floor space for assembly I can push things out of the way. I move things around alot! I've given up on doors on any low storage because if I move something too close and then need something in there I can't open the door to get it without moving my set up.
      I've always had a shop at my house but I had a much larger shop where I worked. I lost that when someone decided to trade in his wife for a new model so I retired from woodworking --to take up woodworking. It's much better this way,I only do what I want! My woodworking business was based around a lot of architects ,designers and wealthy home owners that had thumbed through a copy of Architectural Digest and had opinions. It worked for me, i made a living as a woodworker. Some of it however was just a job. I have a commission for a coffee table that I'm working on right now. What it is ,well I won't even discuss it! Don't like it? Don't buy it! In fairness if I know a little bit of where their tastes are or if I know where it's going I'll consider that. Is their house arts and craft or was it designed by Mies?
      I do find working in limited space challenging though!

      1. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 03:22pm | #22

        And your new boss was an a**hole, right? :-) That's what I always told people who didn't know I owned my own company when they asked me how my job was. "It's ok, but my boss is an A*hole"

    14. Pantalones868 | Jul 27, 2022 05:17pm | #23

      Mine is a little different. Someone comes by-- "who's in charge here?" " Oh, your looking for Godot, he's not here right now. Wanna wait?"
      I don't do much with cad myself. I prefer to sketch ,then scale draw and then sometimes draw at full scale. Those Boston guys are real big on full scale drawings and sometimes I see the advantage but if I was building a railroad would I need a full scale drawing? I like the drawing, it takes time and time gives you an opportunity to think things through. Sometimes the whole thing in in my head and I just need to assign numbers. I have a son however who is really good with tech stuff. Builds rockets and such. Computers and 3d printers , lasers,cnc are easy for him. I will assign anything in that realm to him. He'll be done before I have it turned on. He lives pretty close by but these days that isnt even necessary. All of that stuff has its place and can be really useful and analog guys such as myself are kind of dinosaurs.

      1. eddo234 | Jul 27, 2022 05:23pm | #24

        Take heart, all the post-apocalyptic dystopian books and films always show the analogue guys winning in the end. :-)

    15. User avater
      ECinDC | Jul 27, 2022 05:46pm | #25

      I think "SketchUp" still have a free version and if you google "SketchUp 3D Warehouse" you can find various Grizzly tools to download.

    Log in or create an account to post a comment.

    Sign up Log in

    Get It All!

    UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

    Save up to 69%

    Subscribe

    Related Posts

    • Dream Shop Planner
    • Slipping Planner Belts
    • Delta finish planner
    • Run Boards with Gaps through a planner?
    • Can't play any videos on fine woodworking.com

    Categories

    • Business
    • Finishing
    • General Discussion
    • Hand Tools
    • Jigs, Fixtures, Tips & Tricks
    • Joinery
    • New To Woodworking
    • Power Tools and Machinery
    • Project Plans/CAD Software
    • SketchUp
    • Turning and Carving
    • Wood and Materials
    • Workshop

    Discussion Forum

    Recent Posts and Replies

    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    View More Create Post

    Digital Plans Library

    Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.

    • Sample cover of a digital woodworking plan
    • Sample page from a digital woodworking plan depicting a toolbox
    • What will you make next? Over 100 digital plans

    View the Library

    Highlights

    • Shape Your Skills

      when you sign up for our emails

      Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.

      Sign Up
    • Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.

    • Woodpecker Sweepstakes

      Woodpeckers Shop Upgrade Giveaway

      Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Click for full details.

    • Staff Picks Blog

      Our favorite articles and videos

      We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.

    From the Store

    View More
    • The Why & How of Woodworking

      Buy Now
    • Tool Guide 2022

      Buy Now
    • 2021 Fine Woodworking Archive

      Buy Now
    • Foundations of Woodworking

      Buy Now
    View More

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #298-SEP/OCT 2022

      • How to cut houndstooth dovetails
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #298
      • Editor's letter: The fear of failure
    • #297-JULY/AUG 2022

      • Build a traditional plate rack
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #297
      • Editor's Letter: Technology and the future of woodworking
    • #296-MAY/JUN 2022

      • Build a small box with mitered dovetails
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #296
      • Is it OK to copy projects from the magazine?
    • #295-MAR/APR 2022

      • Contemporary side table
      • Rabbeting a shelf; Strength vs. appearance
      • Create a kumiko cloverleaf
    • #294-JAN/FEB 2022

      • Woodworker's guide to glue
      • Online extras from FWW issue #294
      • Letters: An unfinished outfeed table

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership
    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up
    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Privacy Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Site Map
    • Do not sell my information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights

    © 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership

    We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

    Get complete site access to video workshops, digital plans library, online archive, and more, plus the print magazine.

    Start your FREE trial

    Already a member? Log in