Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 93,367	$ 76,204
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenues	51,187	40,178
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	32,482	26,950
Research and development expenses	1,749	1,704
Restructuring costs (Note 3)	328	0
Total Costs and Operating Expenses	85,746	68,832
Operating Income	7,621	7,372
Interest Income	222	109
Interest Expense	(306)	(165)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes	7,537	7,316
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 5)	2,352	1,967
Income from Continuing Operations	5,185	5,349
Loss from Discontinued Operation	(5)	(29)
Net Income	5,180	5,320
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(127)	(36)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	5,053	5,284
Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
Income from Continuing Operations	5,058	5,313
Loss from Discontinued Operation	(5)	(29)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 5,053	$ 5,284
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Kadant (Note 4):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.48
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.47
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 4):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.47
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.47
Weighted Average Shares (Note 4):
Basic (in shares)	11,132	11,163
Diluted (in shares)	11,314	11,267
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.125