1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-63457) and
related Prospectus of Cooper Industries, Inc. for the registration of three-year
notes of Cooper Industries, Inc. exchangeable into Wyman-Gordon Company common
stock, par value $1.00 per share, and to the incorporation by reference therein
of our report dated January 23, 1995, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Cooper Industries, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1994,
included as Appendix A to the Cooper Industries, Inc. Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 25, 1995, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
    
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Houston, Texas
   
November 29, 1995