Contingencies (Details)	Dec. 29, 2012
Contingencies [Abstract]
Total workforce subject to negotiated union contracts (in hundredths)	38.00%
Total workforce covered by union contract agreements expiring during 2013 (in hundredths)	19.00%

Percentage of total workforce covered by union contract agreements that expire during next fiscal year.

No definition available.

Name:	eml_TotalWorkforceCoveredByUnionContractAgreementsExpiringNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	eml_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant