-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 zyikzA/RxrDKHSobH8gaHA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001079615-03-000011.txt : 20030724
<SEC-HEADER>0001079615-03-000011.hdr.sgml : 20030724
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030724152711
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001079615-03-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20011127
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030724

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WAXMAN INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000105096
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-HARDWARE & PLUMBING & HEATING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [5070]
		IRS NUMBER:				340899894
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24460 AURORA RD
		CITY:			BEDFORD HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44146
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2164391830

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24460 AURORA ROAD
		CITY:			BEDFORD HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44146

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALLAHAN LARRY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001079615

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10273
		FILM NUMBER:		03800914

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8000 MARYLAND AVE
		STREET 2:		14TH FLOOR
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3147275454

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8000 MARYLAND AVE
		STREET 2:		14TH FLOOR
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2001-11-27</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000105096</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WAXMAN INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>waxm</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001079615</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CALLAHAN LARRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-23</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>5000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>4.05</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>199965</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In addition to the 199,965 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Callhan, Terri Callhan, Mr. Callahan's spouse, beneficially owns 13,000 shares and Mr. Callahan's minor children beneficially own 9,300 shares.  Mr. Callahan does not claim any benefical ownership of his spouses' and childrens' shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Larry Callahan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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