IGM PS33 Portable Thickness Planer – Spiral Cutterhead 36 HW inserts, 330 mm width
The IGM PS33 is a portable thickness planer for hobbyist-professional use, featuring a spiral cutterhead with 36 reversible 15x15x2.5 mm HW inserts arranged in 4 spirals, a working width of 330 mm, a 1,800 W single-phase 230 V motor, and a spindle speed of 9,000 rpm. It is the first portable thickness planer on the European market with a spiral cutterhead using carbide inserts. Distributed in Italy by Krollit, an official IGM distributor.
- Max planing width: 330 mm
- Max workpiece thickness: 156 mm
- Min workpiece length: 120 mm
- Max depth per pass: 3.2 mm
- Spiral cutterhead: 36 reversible 15x15x2.5 mm HW inserts, R=150, 4 spirals
- Spindle speed: 9,000 rpm
- Cutterhead diameter: 46 mm
- Feed rate: 7.9 m/min
- Motor power: 1,800 W
- Power supply: 230 V / 50 Hz / single-phase
- Dust extraction: Integrated fan + Ø 62 mm port for dust collection system or bag
- Sound emission: 96 dB
- Machine weight: 35 kg
Who uses the PS33 and for what
The IGM PS33 portable thickness planer is used by artisan joiners, solid wood floor restorers, and window/door manufacturers who need to take the machine to job sites or work in workshops with limited space. The spiral cutterhead with 4-position carbide inserts allows planing of hard, exotic, and knotty woods without tear-out, providing a superior finish quality compared to straight-knife cutterheads. The maximum depth per pass of 3.2 mm makes it suitable for progressive leveling passes on planks, boards, and battens intended for custom furniture, stairs, and handmade parquet.
Who is the PS33 for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Joiner with mobile workshop or job site |
Suitable |
35 kg weight and 230 V single-phase power allow use on site without a transformer; foldable tables reduce bulk during transport |
| Advanced hobbyist and artisan with small workshop |
Suitable |
Usable without a dust extractor thanks to the integrated fan and included dust collection bag; 7-position depth stop (3.2 to 38 mm) for precise repetitions |
| Continuous production with pieces over 330 mm wide |
Not suitable |
Maximum width of 330 mm excludes planing of wide solid boards and glued panels; for series production, consider fixed bench planers with 400 mm or wider capacity |
Not suitable for: continuous planing of wood-based panels (MDF, particleboard, plywood) in industrial settings, where the silica in the panel accelerates the wear of HW inserts; operations on pieces shorter than 120 mm.
Technical specifications
Working capacity
| Max planing width |
330 mm |
| Max workpiece thickness |
156 mm |
| Min workpiece length |
120 mm |
| Max depth per pass |
3.2 mm |
| Depth stop – available positions |
7 positions (3.2–38 mm) |
Cutterhead and feed
| Cutterhead type |
Spiral – 4 spirals |
| Number of inserts |
36 pcs |
| Insert dimensions |
15x15x2.5 mm, R=150 |
| Insert rotations |
4 (reversible without replacement) |
| Cutterhead diameter |
46 mm |
| Spindle speed |
9,000 rpm |
| Feed rate |
7.9 m/min |
Motor and power supply
| Motor power |
1,800 W |
| Voltage |
230 V / 50 Hz / single-phase |
| Motor protection |
Overload protection; automatic anti-restart lock |
Dust extraction and noise
| Dust extraction system |
Integrated fan + Ø 62 mm port |
| Use without extractor |
Yes (dust collection bag included) |
| Sound emission |
96 dB |
Dimensions and weight
| Machine dimensions (L×W×H) with tables closed |
340×615×555 mm |
| Machine dimensions with tables open |
850×615×555 mm |
| Net weight |
35 kg |
| Packaging dimensions (L×W×H) |
415×660×545 mm |
| Packaging weight |
39 kg |
| Order code |
STE-PS33 |
Standard equipment
- 36 reversible 15x15x2.5 mm HW inserts (mounted in the cutterhead)
- 5 spare HW inserts with screws
- Dust collection bag
- Adapter kit for dust collection bag
- Torx T25 key for insert replacement
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can each insert of the PS33 spiral cutterhead be rotated before replacement?
Each HW insert of the PS33 spiral cutterhead has 4 rotation positions. When an edge wears out, the insert is rotated 90° without replacement, presenting a new sharp edge.
This means that each insert offers 4 full uses before replacement. With 36 inserts total, the available cutting capacity before a complete change is therefore equivalent to 144 sharpenings of a traditional knife. Replacement only requires the Torx T25 key included in the standard equipment, with no need for cutterhead adjustment.
Can the PS33 operate without a dust extractor connected?
Yes. The PS33 is equipped with an integrated fan that extracts chips from the cutterhead and directs them into the included dust collection bag, without the need for an external extractor.
However, the Ø 62 mm port allows connection to an external extractor for enclosed environments with high dust production or for long-duration work. The included bag is suitable for medium-duration work sessions; for continuous use, connecting to an extractor is recommended to maintain constant collection efficiency and reduce exposure to wood dust.
Does the PS33 spiral cutterhead also work on hard woods like oak, ash, and teak?
Yes. The spiral cutterhead with carbide inserts is specifically recommended for hard and exotic woods, where straight-knife cutterheads cause tear-out and require frequent sharpening.
HW carbide inserts have significantly higher hardness than traditional HSS, which translates into wear resistance on oak, ash, teak, wenge, and resinous woods. The spiral geometry (4 spirals, 36 inserts arranged helically) distributes the cut progressively along the width of the workpiece, reducing vibration and improving surface finish even on woods with irregular grain or knots.
What is the minimum thickness the PS33 can plane?
The PS33 does not specify a minimum thickness as an absolute motor limit but indicates a minimum workpiece length of 120 mm. The maximum accepted thickness is 156 mm.
For planing very thin pieces (under 10 mm), it is necessary to assess the risk of tear-out from the rubberized feed rollers, which exert pressure on the workpiece. In these cases, it is advisable to work the piece with a support batten of the same thickness placed alongside the piece to be planed, to distribute the pressure of the rollers.
Is the lateral depth stop useful for repeated planing to a fixed dimension?
Yes. The 7-position depth stop (from 3.2 to 38 mm) allows setting a fixed dimension and repeating the same pass on multiple pieces without re-measuring the depth each time.
This is particularly useful in the production of battens for handmade parquet, frames, and moldings where all pieces must be of the same thickness. The 7 positions cover the most common finished thickness measurements in artisanal joinery. For intermediate dimensions not covered by the stop, the continuous scale of the planing head can still be adjusted with millimeter precision.
What spare parts are available for the PS33 and where can they be ordered?
The main spare part for the PS33 is the reversible HW insert code IGM N013 (15x15x2.5 mm, R=150), available from Krollit's warehouse in Monteforte Irpino (AV).
The N013 insert is the same one used in several IGM spiral cutterhead models, which simplifies spare parts management for those who own multiple machines from the same range. Krollit has the insert as a direct spare part that can be ordered online or by phone at +39 0825-1494022. Replacement does not require a specialized technician: the Torx T25 key included in the standard equipment is sufficient for changing inserts.
