EXHIBIT 23
                                                                    (6/5/98 8-K)

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-18140, 33-21250, 33-24197, 33-38719, 33-38720, 33-62658, 
333-42353, and 333-46469 pertaining to the employee share plans named on the
facing sheets thereof and Form S-3 No. 333-47493) of Applied Power Inc. and 
in the related prospectuses, of our report dated March 23, 1998, on the
consolidated financial statements of VERO Group plc as at December 31, 1997 and
for the year then ended included in the Current Report (Form 8-K) of Applied
Power Inc. dated June 5, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                                /s/Ernst & Young
                                                                ----------------
                                                                   ERNST & YOUNG
                                                           Chartered Accountants

Southampton, England
June 22, 1998