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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-08-011437.txt : 20081217
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-08-011437.hdr.sgml : 20081217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081217160352
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-08-011437
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STANLEY WORKS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000093556
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CUTLERY, HANDTOOLS & GENERAL HARDWARE [3420]
		IRS NUMBER:				060548860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CT
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 STANLEY DR
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 7000
		CITY:			NEW BRITAIN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06053
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8602255111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 STANLEY DR
		CITY:			NEW BRITAIN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06053

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAMPBELL PATRICK D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001196472

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05224
		FILM NUMBER:		081255047

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MINNESOTA MINING & MANUFACTURING CO
		STREET 2:		3M CENTER
		CITY:			ST. PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55133
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000093556</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STANLEY WORKS</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SWK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196472</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAMPBELL PATRICK D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 STANLEY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW BRITAIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06053</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>368.3303</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>368.3303</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>368.3303</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3.8355</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3.8355</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>372.1658</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Currently 100% vested</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Fair market value on date established for payment of fee or dividend</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The reporting director will receive common stock of the corporation on the first business day of the calendar year immediately following the year in which he or she ceases to be a director</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Book Entry of shares credited to Director's account upon the deferral of retainer and/or chairperson fee pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors maintained by The Stanley Works</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Book Entry of shares credited to Director's account upon the deferral of dividend payment pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors maintained by The Stanley Works</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Bruce H. Beatt, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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