Exit And Disposal Activities (Recorded Costs Associated With Exit And Disposal Activities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total exit and disposal costs	$ 12.2	$ 14.2
Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	5.6	5.2
Snap-On Tools Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	4.3	5.3
Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	2.1	3.5
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.2	0.2
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	7.6	10.8
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	2.9	4.3
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member] | Snap-On Tools Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	3.7	4.9
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	1.0	1.6
Operating Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	4.6	3.4
Operating Expenses [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	2.7	0.9
Operating Expenses [Member] | Snap-On Tools Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.6	0.4
Operating Expenses [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	1.1	1.9
Operating Expenses [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	$ 0.2	$ 0.2