Abstract: A battery powered hand-held rotary cutting tool for use on BX cable and the like comprising a power unit and attached battery pack with a projecting drive shaft to which is affixed a rotary cutting blade. Said power unit and battery pack fit within a containment shell which is fitted with a top cover which closes onto the containment shell and simultaneously depresses an activation switch in said power unit. A projecting portion of said cover further operates to press a segment of shielded cable into contact with the rotary cutting blade contemporaneously with the activation of said power unit. Said top cover is fashioned with a spring on the inner cover such that when the cover is released by the mechanic or operator, the power activation switch is released thereby. The invention is designed to facilitate one-handed cutting of shielded cable by means of squeezing the device onto segments of cable wherever the mechanic desires to cut the shield.