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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-009156.txt : 20080508
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-009156.hdr.sgml : 20080508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080508174502
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-009156
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080507
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080508
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080508

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Van Deursen Holly
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001414921

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11288
		FILM NUMBER:		08815378

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		818-734-5300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		21211 NORDHOFF STREET
		CITY:			CHATSWORTH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91311

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:		ATTN:  CHAD DELUKA
		STREET 2:		13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
		CITY:			BUTLER
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53007
		BUSINESS PHONE:		262-373-7438

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ATTN:  CHAD DELUKA
		STREET 2:		13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
		CITY:			BUTLER
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53007

	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
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<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006955</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACTUANT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATU</issuerTradingSymbol>
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    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001414921</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Van Deursen Holly</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BUTLER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>53201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No securities beneficially owned</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
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                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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                    <value>D</value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
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    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Orsic, as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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<FILENAME>a65322_vandeursenpoa.htm
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:7.69%;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The undersigned constitutes and appoints Helen R. Friedli, Eric Orsic, Ryan D. Harris and John M. Richardson, as the undersigned&#146;s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned&#146;s name, place and stead, to sign any and all Securities and Exchange Commission statements of beneficial ownership of securities of Actuant Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) on Forms 3, 4 and 5 as required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company and the New York Stock Exchange, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done under said Section 16(a), as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:7.69%;text-align:left;'><font size=2>A copy of this power of attorney shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The authorization set forth above shall continue in full force and effect until the undersigned revokes such authorization by written instructions to the attorneys-in-fact.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:24pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:7.69%;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The authority granted hereby shall in no event be deemed to impose or create any duty on behalf of the attorneys-in-fact with respect to the undersigned&#146;s obligations to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:36pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Dated:  April&nbsp;21, 2008</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="82%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="64%" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="35%" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Holly A. Van Deursen</font></u></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:53.85%;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Holly A. Van Deursen</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>



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