A cutter adapted for cutting a range of different diameter plastic pipe and tubing with a pair of jaw members pivoted on a pivot pin intermediate their ends with the first of the jaw members pivoted within the second of the jaw members. The resin layer has gaps extending between the wiring lines. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.