Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Mar. 02, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EASTERN CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000031107
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 86,116,996
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,244,013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 03, 2015