Improved portable electrically energized surface finishing tool

A portable, electrically energized surface finishing tool for use with peripherally and planar acting finishing devices comprises an elongated tool body (20) having a length and distal first (37) and second (31) opposite ends. A tool support handle (36) is positioned adjacent the first end (37) of the tool and a support spindle (30) which is adapted to receive a peripherally acting surface finishing tool (48) is positioned adjacent the second opposite end (31) of the tool. The support handle (36) and the spindle (30) are mutually orientated for providing that the spindle extends horizontally and transversely to the tool body length when the support handle (36) is positioned vertically. A guard means (62) is positioned between the spindle and the support handle (36). Ease of use and balance is imparted to the tool by positioning an electric drive motor armature shaft at a location intermediate the first and second ends (37,31) and extending from a side of the tool opposite to the side from which the spindle (30) extends. The armature shaft extends transversely with respect to the length of the tool.