-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 D/x3fgzTrBJJTulskxwFuT2ixdbT7B4KJZhBV3BBEE+djX4+GjhAORS5EtZvDS7F
 BkTdGCy3PEDac1fh2GEA5w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000093676-09-000038.txt : 20091120
<SEC-HEADER>0000093676-09-000038.hdr.sgml : 20091120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091120085259
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000093676-09-000038
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080305
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091120
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			de Camargo Salvador Jr
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001474998

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00367
		FILM NUMBER:		091197297

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE L S STARRETT COMPANY
		STREET 2:		121 CRESCENT STREET
		CITY:			ATHOL
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01331

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STARRETT L S CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000093676
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CUTLERY, HANDTOOLS & GENERAL HARDWARE [3420]
		IRS NUMBER:				041866480
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 CRESCENT ST
		CITY:			ATHOL
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01331
		BUSINESS PHONE:		978-249-3551

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 CRESCENT STREET
		CITY:			ATHOL
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01331
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000093676</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STARRETT L S CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SCX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001474998</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>de Camargo Salvador Jr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE L S STARRETT COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>121 CRESCENT STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATHOL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01331</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Starrett Industria</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>17.08</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>This Form 4 is being filed late.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Douglas A. Starrett, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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