SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934




Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 24, 2003
                                                 ------------------------------


                        The Stanley Works
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


  Connecticut                  1-5224                          06-0548860
----------------          ----------------                    -----------------
(State or other             (Commission                     (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of             File Number)                    Identification No.)
incorporation)



1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Connecticut            06053
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (860) 225-5111
                                                    ---------------------------



                         Not Applicable
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)




                       Exhibit Index is located on Page 3



                                 Page 1 of 12 Pages





         Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

           (c) 20(i)       Press Release dated January 24, 2003 announcing
                           fourth quarter 2002 results.

           (c) 20(ii)      Cautionary Statements relating to forward
                           looking statements included in Exhibit 20(i) and made
                           today in a conference call with industry analysts,
                           shareowners and other participants.


         Item 9.           Regulation FD Disclosure.

                           In a press release attached to this 8-K, the company
                           provided earnings guidance for the first quarter of
                           2003 and the full year 2003 and commentary regarding
                           operating margin expectations. In a conference call
                           held today with industry analysts, shareowners and
                           other participants, the company reviewed earnings
                           guidance and commentary regarding operating margin
                           expectations.





                                 Page 2 of 12 Pages





                                    SIGNATURE




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                           THE STANLEY WORKS



Date: January 24, 2003     By: /s/ Bruce H. Beatt
      ----------------     ---------------------------------
                           Name:   Bruce H. Beatt
                           Title:  Vice President, General
                                   Counsel and Secretary




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                           Current Report on Form 8-K
                             Dated January 24, 2003



                               Exhibit No.   Page
                              -----------    ------

                                20(i)          4

                                20(ii)         11












                                 Page 3 of 12 Pages




                                                                   Exhibit 20(i)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stanley Works Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Full-Year Free Cash Flow Before Dividends Of $235 Million Up 58% Over Prior Year

New Britain,  Connecticut,  January 24, 2003. . . The Stanley Works (NYSE:  SWK)
announced  that  fourth  quarter  2002 net income was $22  million (25 cents per
fully-diluted share),  consistent with company estimates of 24-27 cents provided
on January 17. As previously  reported,  the current  quarter's results included
pre-tax,  non-cash charges  totaling $22 million,  or 17 cents per fully diluted
share. Aside from such charges,  earnings per fully diluted share were 42 cents,
consistent with company estimates of 41-44 cents provided on January 17.

Net sales  were $662  million,  up 3% over last year.  Sales were  reduced by $7
million  in the fourth  quarter  of 2002 and $4  million in 2001 as  cooperative
advertising   expenses   were   reclassified   out  of   selling,   general  and
administrative  expenses into net sales, as required by EITF 00-25. Exclusive of
the effects of the Best Access  Systems  acquisition,  sales  declined  1%, with
consumer  businesses up a low-single  digit percent and  industrial / commercial
revenues, given depressed market conditions, down a low-single digit percent.

Gross margin, aside from special charges discussed below, was 31.0% versus 34.2%
last  year.  The  Mechanics  Tools  and Mac Tools  gross  margin  rate  problems
experienced in the third quarter  improved  sequentially,  but sales declines in
Mac Tools  continued to weigh down  overall  performance.  In  addition,  and as
discussed in the company's  January 17 press release,  several other businesses,
including Hand Tools and Fastening Systems, under-performed profit expectations,
more than offsetting those sequential rate gains.

Selling,  general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses of $142 million (21.5% of
sales) were $9 million or 70 basis  points  above  fourth  quarter  2001 levels,
exclusive of one-time charges, reflecting primarily the inclusion of Best Access
Systems'  expenses.  Resulting  operating margin was 9.6%, down 380 basis points
from 13.4% last year, aside from special charges.

                               Page 4 of 12 Pages



Tools sales decreased 1% to $483 million, as strong sales of hand tools into the
U.S.  retail  markets were offset by weak demand for  industrial  and Mac tools.
Operating margin was 8.8% versus 12.7% (exclusive of special charges) reflecting
reduced sales and lower than expected productivity savings.

Doors sales  increased 16% to $179 million.  Organic sales  declined 4%, as Door
Systems weakness more than offset  double-digit  growth in Access  Technologies.
Door Systems sales were adversely  affected by the previously  announced loss of
business in one region of a major retail customer. Operating margin decreased to
11.7% versus 15.6% last year,  reflecting  lower sales and the impact of a legal
settlement.

Net interest increased to $7.4 million versus $4.8 million in the fourth quarter
last year due to  funding  of the Best  Access  Systems  acquisition.  Other net
expenses  decreased to $2.9 million,  exclusive of special charges,  versus $6.9
million in the fourth  quarter  last year,  due  primarily  to the  exclusion of
goodwill  amortization  in 2002 and net  favorable  impact  of an  environmental
insurance settlement and certain environmental charges.

As  indicated  on  January  17,  higher  estimates  were  established  for  loss
provisions  and for  specific  impaired  manufacturing  equipment.  The  company
recorded  non-cash  special  charges  totaling  $22  million,  or 17  cents  per
fully-diluted  share.  These charges  include:  (1) a reassessment of Mac Direct
inventory and accounts receivable valuations as a result of a new retail control
system just implemented;  (2) an inventory valuation adjustment in the Fastening
Systems business  associated with recent cost estimation  process  improvements;
and (3)  impairment  of certain  fixed assets  related  primarily to the Wichita
Falls and Dallas plant consolidation.

Operating  cash flow was $81 million versus $118 million in the fourth quarter a
year ago, and free cash flow before dividends (cash from operations less capital
expenditures)  was $69 million  versus $101 million in the fourth quarter a year
ago. Both  operating and free cash flow included $31 million of expected  income
tax payments made in the fourth  quarter  related to the net cash receipt (after
payment  of excise  taxes) of $69  million in the third  quarter  from the final
settlement upon termination of a defined benefit plan.

For the full year  2002  sales of $2,594  million  were less than 1% lower  than
2001. Organic sales, aside from acquisitions,  decreased 2%. Net income was $189
million,  or $2.14 per  fully-diluted  share,  versus $158  million or $1.81 per
share in 2001.  Exclusive of special  charges and  credits,  net income was $204
million versus $202 million last year, and earnings per  fully-diluted  share of
$2.31 were flat.

                               Page 5 of 12 Pages


Operating  cash flow for 2002 was $289  million  versus $222 million a year ago;
and  free  cash  flow  before  dividends  (cash  from  operations  less  capital
expenditures)  was $235  million  versus  $149  million  last  year.  These  are
increases of 30% and 58%, respectively.

The  company's  debt  increased by $350  million  upon the November  issuance of
five-year and ten-year notes to finance the Best Access Systems acquisition.  In
addition,  fourth-quarter  payments reduced debt by $81 million.  Ending debt to
capital was 42%.

The company reiterated its recent earnings guidance. First quarter 2003 earnings
per  fully-diluted  share are  expected  to be in the  range of 44-46  cents and
full-year  2003  earnings per fully  diluted share are expected to grow by a low
double-digit  percentage over the $2.31 (exclusive of special charges) earned in
2002.  Operating  margins are expected to achieve previous high levels of 14-15%
in the third quarter of 2003.

The company has  scheduled a  conference  call with  investors  for 2pm EDT this
afternoon  to discuss the matters  detailed  above.  The call is  accessible  by
telephone at (800) 267-8424 and from outside the U.S. at (706)  634-0695;  also,
via the Internet at  www.stanleyworks.com  by selecting "Investor Relations".  A
replay  will also be  available  two hours after the call and can be accessed at
800-642-1687 by entering the conference identification number 7028841.

The  Stanley  Works,  an S&P 500  company,  is a  worldwide  supplier  of tools,
hardware and door systems for  professional,  industrial  and consumer use. More
information about The Stanley Works can be found at http://www.stanleyworks.com.

Contact: Gerry Gould, Vice President - Investor Relations at (860) 827-3833
                                       ggould@ stanleyworks.com

The Stanley  Works  corporate  press  releases are  available  on the  company's
corporate web site at http://www.stanleyworks.com. Click on "Investor Relations"
and  then on  "News  Releases".  This  press  release  contains  forward-looking
statements.  Cautionary statements accompanying these forward-looking statements
are set  forth,  along  with this  news  release,  in a Form 8-K filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  today.  The Stanley Works  corporate  press
releases   are   available   on   the    company's    Internet   web   site   at
www.stanleyworks.com.


                               Page 6 of 12 Pages





                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
            (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts)


                                                  
                                    Fourth Quarter      Year-to-Date
                                    ---------------    --------------
                                     2002     2001      2002   2001

NET SALES                          $ 662.2 $ 642.0* $2,593.5 $ 2,606.6*

COSTS AND EXPENSES
  Cost of sales                      469.9   428.7   1,752.8   1,701.3
  Selling, general
    and administrative               143.8   133.5*    547.2     575.9*
  Interest - net                       7.4     4.8      24.5      25.6
  Other - net                         10.3     6.9      (9.1)     (5.3)
  Restructuring charge                 -      54.1       -        72.4
                                   -------- -------- --------  --------
                                     631.4   628.0   2,315.4   2,369.9
                                   -------- -------- --------  --------

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES          30.8    14.0      278.1     236.7
  Income taxes                         8.9     7.5       89.3      78.4
                                       ---     ---       ----      ----
NET EARNINGS                        $ 21.9 $   6.5   $  188.8   $ 158.3
                                    ====== =======   ========   =======

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

  Basic                             $ 0.25 $  0.08   $  2.18    $ 1.85
                                    ====== =======   =======    ======

  Diluted                           $ 0.25 $  0.07   $  2.14    $ 1.81
                                    ====== =======   =======    ======

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE                 $ 0.26 $  0.24   $  0.99    $ 0.94
                                    ====== =======   =======    ======

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands)

     Basic                           87,906   85,811   86,453    85,761
                                     ======   ======   ======    ======

     Diluted                         89,007   87,748   88,246    87,467
                                     ======   ======   ======    ======

*In January  2002 the company  adopted  Emerging  Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue
Number 00- 25 "Vendor Income  Statement  Characterization  of Consideration to a
Purchaser  of the  Vendor's  Products  or  Services".  EITF 00-25  requires  the
reclassification of certain customer promotional payments previously reported in
selling,  general and administrative  (SG&A) expenses as a reduction of revenue,
and prior periods must be restated for  comparability  of results.  Year to date
2001 Net Sales and SG&A are $17.8  million  lower and  fourth  quarter  2001 Net
Sales  and  SG&A are $3.6  million  lower  than  previously  published  amounts,
reflecting reclassification of certain cooperative advertising (co-op) expenses.



                               Page 7 of 12 Pages







                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars)


                                                       
                                          December 28, 2002   December 29, 2001
                                          -----------------  ------------------

ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents             $   121.7            $     115.2
  Accounts receivable                       548.0                  551.3
  Inventories                               414.7                  410.1
  Other current assets                       84.9                   64.8
                                             ----                   ----
    Total current assets                  1,169.3                1,141.4
                                          -------                -------
  Property, plant and equipment and
    other assets                            693.0                  678.2
  Goodwill and other intangibles            545.4                  236.1
                                            -----                  -----
                                          2,407.7            $   2,055.7
                                          =======            ===========


LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
     Short-term borrowings               $  149.6            $     372.4
     Accounts payable                       258.1                  247.7
     Accrued expenses                       258.9                  280.4
                                            -----                  -----
      Total current liabilities             666.6                  900.5
                                            -----                  -----
     Long-term debt                         564.3                  121.8
     Other long-term liabilities            188.9                  201.1
     Shareowners' equity                    987.9                  832.3
                                            -----                  -----
                                          2,407.7            $   2,055.7
                                          =======            ===========

The December, 2002 balance sheet is subject to change for refinement of Best
acquisition purchase accounting prior to the company's 10-K filing.







                                  Page 8 of 12 Pages





                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          SUMMARY OF CASH FLOW ACTIVITY
                        (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars)



                                                             
                                            Fourth Quarter     Year to Date
                                          -----------------  ------------------
                                            2002     2001      2002       2001
                                          -------  --------  -------   --------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net earnings                            $   21.9    $ 6.5     $ 188.8 $  158.3
Depreciation and amortization               20.3     22.1        68.8     82.9
Restructuring charges
  and asset impairments                      -       54.1         -       72.4
Other non-cash items                        49.7     42.9        42.1     17.3
Changes in working capital                  29.9     29.8         5.0    (45.5)
Changes in other operating
  assets and liabilities                   (41.3)   (37.7)      (15.8)   (63.8)
                                           -----    -----       -----    -----
Net cash provided by
  operating activities                      80.5    117.7       288.9    221.6

INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Capital and software expenditures          (11.9)   (17.1)      (53.8)   (73.1)
Business acquisitions/dispositions        (321.7)     8.4      (343.6)   (69.5)
Cash dividends on common stock             (22.8)   (20.6)      (85.6)   (80.5)
Other net investing and
  financing activity                       265.0   (125.4)      200.6     23.1
                                           -----   ------       -----     ----
Net cash used in investing and
  financing activities                     (91.4)  (154.7)     (282.4)  (200.0)


Increase (Decrease) in Cash
 and Cash Equivalents                      (10.9)   (37.0)       6.5      21.6

Cash and Cash Equivalents,
 Beginning of Period                       132.6    152.2      115.2      93.6
                                           -----    -----      -----      ----

Cash and Cash Equivalents,
 End of Period                             121.7    115.2      121.7     115.2
                                           =====    =====      =====     =====






                                  Page 9 of 12 Pages





                       THE STANLEY WORKS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
                        (Unaudited, Millions of Dollars)



                                                      
                                      Fourth Quarter        Year to Date
                                    ------------------   -----------------
                                      2002      2001        2002    2001
                                    --------   -------   --------  -------
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Net Sales
   Tools                            $ 483.1    $ 487.9   $ 1,954.6  $2,007.9
   Doors                              179.1      154.1       638.9     598.7
                                      -----      -----      -----     -----
   Consolidated                     $ 662.2    $ 642.0   $ 2,593.5  $2,606.6
                                     =======     =====     =======   =======


Operating Profit
   Tools                            $  27.5    $  60.4   $   206.4  $ 265.6
   Doors                               21.0       19.4        87.1     63.8
                                       ----       ----        ----     ----
   Consolidated                     $  48.5    $  79.8   $   293.5  $ 329.4
                                    =======    =======   =========  =======





                                  Page 10 of 12 Pages





                                                                 Exhibit 20 (ii)

                              CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

           Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in the company's  press  release  attached to this Current  Report on
Form 8-K  regarding  the  company's  ability to (i) deliver  first  quarter 2003
earnings in the range of $.44-.46  per fully  diluted  share;  (ii) deliver 2003
earnings per fully diluted share growth by a low  double-digit  percentage  over
the $2.31 (exclusive of special charges) 2002 earnings levels; and (iii) deliver
operating margins of 14-15% in the third quarter of 2003 are forward looking and
inherently subject to risk and uncertainty.

The  company's  ability to achieve the  earnings  objectives  identified  in the
preceding  paragraph  is  dependent  on  both  internal  and  external  factors,
including the success of the company's  marketing and sales efforts,  continuing
improvements  in  productivity   and  cost   reductions,   including   inventory
reductions,  continued  improvement in the payment terms under which the company
buys and sells goods,  materials and product,  the success of planned migrations
to  low-cost  countries  and  continued   reduction  of  selling,   general  and
administrative  expenses as a  percentage  of sales,  the strength of the United
States  economy  and the  strength  of foreign  currencies,  including,  without
limitation, the Euro.

The  company's  ability to achieve the expected  level of revenues and operating
margins is dependent upon a number of factors,  including (i) the success of the
company's  efforts  to  redress  production  problems  in  its  Mechanics  Tools
business;  (ii) the  ability to recruit and retain a sales  force  comprised  of
employees and manufacturers representatives; (iii) the success of The Home Depot
and Wal-Mart  programs and of other  initiatives to increase retail sell through
and stimulate demand for the company's products;  (iv) the success of recruiting
programs  and other  efforts to deliver  positive  overall Mac Tools truck count
versus the prior year and the successful  unwinding of the Mac Direct element of
the business; (v) the ability of the sales force to adapt to changes made in the
sales organization and achieve adequate customer  coverage;  (vi) the ability of
the company to fulfill  demand for its products;  (vii) the absence of increased
pricing  pressures  from  customers  and  competitors  and the ability to defend
market  share in the face of price  competition;  (viii) the  acceptance  of the
company's  new  products  in the  marketplace  as well as the ability to satisfy
demand for these  products;  and (ix) the successful  integration of Best Access
Systems and other recent  acquisitions with existing  businesses of the company,
and the achievement of the sales plan for the combined businesses.




                               Page 11 of 12 Pages




The company's ability to deliver inventory  reductions and otherwise improve its
productivity  and to lower the cost  structure  is  dependent  on the success of
various  initiatives  that  are  underway  or are  being  developed  to  improve
manufacturing  and sales  operations and to implement  related control  systems,
which  initiatives  include  certain  facility  closures  and related  workforce
reductions expected to be completed in 2003. The success of these initiatives is
dependent on the  company's  ability to increase the  efficiency  of its routine
business  processes,  to develop  and  implement  process  control  systems,  to
mitigate the effects of any material cost inflation,  to maintain or improve its
current  tax rate,  to develop  and  execute  comprehensive  plans for  facility
consolidations, the availability of vendors to perform outsourced functions, the
successful  recruitment  and training of new  employees,  the  resolution of any
labor issues related to closing  facilities,  the need to respond to significant
changes in product  demand  while any facility  consolidation  is in process and
other unforeseen events.

The company's ability to continue to reduce selling,  general and administrative
expenses as a percentage  of sales is dependent on various  process  improvement
activities,  the continued success of changes to the sales  organization and the
reduction of transaction costs.

The company's  ability to achieve the  objectives  discussed  above will also be
affected by external  factors.  These external  factors include pricing pressure
and other changes within  competitive  markets,  the continued  consolidation of
customers in consumer channels,  inventory management pressures on the company's
customers,  increasing  competition,  changes in trade, monetary, tax and fiscal
policies and laws,  inflation,  currency  exchange  fluctuations,  the impact of
dollar/foreign  currency exchange and interest rates on the  competitiveness  of
products and the company's debt program,  the impact of events that cause or may
cause  disruption in the company's  distribution  and sales networks such as the
recent  closure of ports on the West Coast,  the events of  September  11, 2001,
political  unrest and  recessionary or expansive  trends in the economies of the
world in which the company operates.


















                               Page 12 of 12 Pages