8-K

               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                   	Washington, D.C.  20549

	                              


                          	FORM 8-K
                       	CURRENT REPORT

             	Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                 	Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):  August 10, 1998



                          HON INDUSTRIES Inc.                    	
      	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          IOWA                     0-2648          42-0617510 
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission)      (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)         File Number)   Identification No.) 

 414 East Third Street, P.O. Box 1109,              52761-7109    
 Muscatine, Iowa                                    (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (319) 264-7400


	              	
	(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



ITEM 5.  Other Events.

On August 10, 1998, the Board of Directors of HON INDUSTRIES 
Inc. (the "Company") declared a dividend distribution of one 
right (a "Right") for each share of common stock, par value $1.00 
per share (the "Common Shares"), of the Company outstanding at 
the close of business on August 20, 1998 (the "Record Date"), 
pursuant to the terms of a Rights Agreement, dated as of August 
13, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Harris 
Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent.  The Rights Agreement 
also provides, subject to specified exceptions and limitations, 
that Common Shares issued or delivered from the Company's 
treasury after the Record Date will be entitled to and 
accompanied by Rights.  The Rights are in all respects subject to 
and governed by the provisions of the Rights Agreement, a copy of 
which (including all exhibits thereto) is filed as Exhibit 4.1 
hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  A summary 
description of the Rights is set forth in Exhibit C to the Rights 
Agreement.

ITEM 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)	Financial Statements of Business Acquired:  N/A

(b)	Pro Forma Financial Information:  None

(c)	Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number	      Exhibit

4.1		        Rights Agreement (including a Form of Statement of 
             Resolution as Exhibit A thereto, a Form of Right 
             Certificate as Exhibit B thereto and a Summary of 
             Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C 
             thereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
             to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8A
             filed on August 14, 1998

99.1		       Form of letter to stockholders, dated August 19, 
             1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to
             the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8A 
             filed on August 14, 1998

99.2		       Press release, dated August 13, 1998 



                        	SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed 
on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.


                              HON INDUSTRIES Inc.



                              By  /s/ James I. Johnson
                                 James I. Johnson
                                 Vice President, General Counsel
                                  and Secretary

Dated: August 14, 1998



                      	INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number       Exhibit

4.1          Rights Agreement (including a Form of Statement of 
             Resolution as Exhibit A thereto, a Form of Right 
             Certificate as Exhibit B thereto and a Summary of 
             Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C 
             thereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 
             to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8A
             filed on August 14, 1998

99.1         Form of letter to stockholders, dated August 19, 
             1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 
             to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8A
             filed on August 14, 1998

99.2         Press release, dated August 13, 1998

EX-99.2

                                              EXHIBIT 99.2

HON INDUSTRIES 	P.O. Box 1109, Muscatine, Iowa  52761-7109

News Release

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:  David Stuebe, Vice President and CFO
                          (319) 264-7400
                         	Beth Coronelli, Investor Relations Manager 
                          (319) 264-7992

    HON INDUSTRIES INC. ANNOUNCES	SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS PLAN

Muscatine, Iowa (August 13, 1998) -- HON INDUSTRIES Inc. (NYSE:HNI) 
announced today board action adopting a new share purchase rights plan.  
Under the plan, rights will be issued to stockholders of record on 
August 20, 1998.  The new plan replaces HON INDUSTRIES' existing rights 
plan that expired on August 12, 1998.

"This action was taken after long and careful study," said Jack D. 
Michaels, Chairman, President and CEO of HON INDUSTRIES.  "Like the 
company's existing rights plan, the new plan is intended to protect the 
company and its stockholders from potentially coercive takeover 
practices or takeover bids which are not in the interest of the company 
and its stockholders."

"The inclusion of a share purchase rights plan has become common 
practice in major American companies and a well-accepted approach to 
ensure that all stockholders receive a fair price and are treated 
equally in the event of a takeover," Michaels added.  "The adoption of a 
new rights plan is not in response to any pending takeover or proposed 
change in control of the company."  

The rights will trade together with the common stock and will not be 
exercisable, initially. The rights generally will become exercisable, in 
the absence of further board action, if a person or group acquires 20 
percent or more of the outstanding shares of HON INDUSTRIES' common 
stock.  Once the rights are exercisable, the stockholder, other than the 
acquiring person or group, may purchase common stock at a discount.  
Under certain circumstances, the rights will entitle the stockholder to 
buy shares in an acquiring entity at a discount.

The plan also includes an exchange option.  After the rights become 
exercisable, the Board of Directors has an option to exchange part or 
all of the rights for shares of HON INDUSTRIES' common stock.  Under 
this option, HON INDUSTRIES would issue one share of common stock for 
each right, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. This 
exchange would not apply to shares held by the person or group whose 
actions trigger the exercisability.

HON INDUSTRIES' Board of Directors may redeem all rights for $.01 per 
right, generally at any time before the rights become exercisable.  The 
rights will expire August 20, 2008, unless redeemed, exchanged or 
amended by the Board of Directors.

The issuance of the rights is not a taxable event; will not affect HON 
INDUSTRIES' reported financial condition or results of operations, 
including earnings per share; and will not change the way in which HON 
INDUSTRIES' common stock is currently traded.  Shareholders will receive 
additional details regarding the plan.

HON INDUSTRIES Inc. is the largest producer of value-priced office 
furniture and the fourth largest manufacturer and marketer of office 
furniture in the U.S.  It is also the nation's largest manufacturer and 
marketer of gas- and wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.  HON 
INDUSTRIES' common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under 
the symbol HNI. 
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