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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 SnT2xSDx0M1cRxa7OpAhlihTUO9jmzy70cJjTJ4DgCPovaTCq3hxhyX3K5lw8fUM
 HawNy4kgnuzmx30BOuZICA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-005207.txt : 20030808
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-005207.hdr.sgml : 20030808
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030808153408
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-005207
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030808
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030808

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAPLE EDMUND W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258876

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11288
		FILM NUMBER:		03831804

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ACTUANT CORP
		STREET 2:		5100 N BAKER RD
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53209
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4143524160

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACTUANT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000006955
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISC INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3590]
		IRS NUMBER:				390168610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6101 N. BAKER RD.
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53209
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4143524160

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6101 N BAKER RD.
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53209

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APPLIED POWER INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APPLIED POWER INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19730123
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-08-08</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006955</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACTUANT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATU</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001258876</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STAPLE EDMUND W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6100 NORTH BAKER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MILWAUKEE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>53209</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Gardner Bender-Bus Ldr</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>36.175</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><value>2004-08-07</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2012-08-07</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>3500</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>47.88</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><value>2005-01-13</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-01-13</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>1750</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Option granted under Actuant Corporation 2001 Stock Plan.  Fifty percent of the option becomes exercisable on 8/7/2004 and the balance on 8/7/2007.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Option granted under Actuant Corporation's 2002 Stock Plan.  Fifty percent of the option becomes exercisable on 1/13/2005 and the balance on 1/13/2008.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Kathryn Moore, Attorney-in-Fact for Edmund W. Staple</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-08-08</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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