Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 104,835	$ 82,165	$ 198,202	$ 158,369
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenues	59,753	42,225	110,940	82,403
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	31,588	29,445	64,070	56,395
Research and development expenses	1,392	1,852	3,141	3,556
Restructuring costs and other income, net (Note 3)	66	218	394	218
Total Costs and Operating Expenses	92,799	73,740	178,545	142,572
Operating Income	12,036	8,425	19,657	15,797
Interest Income	82	142	304	251
Interest Expense	(250)	(231)	(556)	(396)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes	11,868	8,336	19,405	15,652
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 5)	3,870	2,492	6,222	4,459
Income from Continuing Operations	7,998	5,844	13,183	11,193
Loss from Discontinued Operation	(9)	(12)	(14)	(41)
Net Income	7,989	5,832	13,169	11,152
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(131)	(72)	(258)	(108)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	7,858	5,760	12,911	11,044
Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
Income from Continuing Operations	7,867	5,772	12,925	11,085
Loss from Discontinued Operation	(9)	(12)	(14)	(41)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 7,858	$ 5,760	$ 12,911	$ 11,044
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Kadant (Note 4):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.52	$ 1.17	$ 0.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.51	$ 1.15	$ 0.98
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 4):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.52	$ 1.16	$ 0.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.51	$ 1.14	$ 0.98
Weighted Average Shares (Note 4):
Basic (in shares)	11,049	11,178	11,091	11,170
Diluted (in shares)	11,246	11,331	11,280	11,299
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.150	$ 0.125	$ 0.300	$ 0.250