Pension Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013 Age	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Normal retirement age	65
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 1,101.4	$ 1,170.6
Description of amortization actuarial gains and losses	Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or market-related value of assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants or over the average remaining life expectancy for plans with primarily inactive participants.
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.60%	7.70%	7.80%
Expense recognized related to 401(k)plan	5.9	5.7	5.2
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] | Prior Period Adjustment [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in equity security plan assets due to prior period corrections	(63.4)
Foreign Equity Securities [Member] | Prior Period Adjustment [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in equity security plan assets due to prior period corrections	63.4
Commingled Funds - Domestic Equity Securities [Member] | Prior Period Adjustment [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in commingled funds due to prior period corrections	(32.0)
Commingled Funds - Foreign Equity Securities [Member] | Prior Period Adjustment [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in commingled funds due to prior period corrections	32.0
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Time horizon for asset under risk and correlation assumption (in years)	10
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Time horizon for asset under risk and correlation assumption (in years)	20
Domestic Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in pension expense	5.3
Weighted-average discount rate	5.20%
Increase in projected benefit obligation	50.9
Percentage of projected benefit obligations	81.00%
Description of discount rate assumption	Lowering Snap-on's domestic discount rate assumption by 50 basis points
Expected future employer contributions	1.8
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.60%
Foreign Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in pension expense	2.0
Weighted-average discount rate	4.50%
Increase in projected benefit obligation	19.9
Description of discount rate assumption	Lowering Snap-on's foreign discount rate assumption by 50 basis points
Expected future employer contributions	$ 11.0