EXHIBIT 10.10(b)
                                                           (1997 10-K)



RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF APPLIED POWER INC.

Adopted May 8, 1997

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 1996 Plan is amended to add a new Section 6.09 to
read as follows:

        "6.09.  Deferral of Stock Option Gain.
        The Committee may permit, in its discretion, an optionee who
        exercises a stock option to defer the taxable income
        attributable to such exercise.  In the event the Committee
        elects to permit such deferrals, the Committee shall identify
        the optionees to whom such deferral elections shall be made
        available and establish procedures for implementing such
        deferrals.  An optionee who defers a stock option gain under
        this Plan or any other Company stock option plan shall be
        credited with deemed dividends under this Plan on such terms as
        the Committee shall prescribe.  All deferrals which are
        permitted under this section and all deemed dividends shall be
        distributed in Applied Power Inc. common stock."