Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES		$ 2,786.7	$ 2,619.7	$ 8,253.8	$ 7,584.5
Segment profit		415.6	383.9	1,197.9	1,109.4
Corporate overhead		(61.8)	(55.3)	(184.7)	(172.4)
Other-net		(77.0)	(89.6)	(248.7)	(201.7)
Restructuring charges and asset impairments recognized		(53.4)	(14.9)	(114.1)	(49.2)
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(45.5)	(45.5)	0	(45.5)	0
Interest expense		(36.7)	(34.8)	(105.1)	(103.5)
Interest income		2.6	8.0	7.5	20.3
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes		143.8	197.3	507.3	602.9
Construction and Do It Yourself
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring charges and asset impairments recognized		(8.1)		(28.8)
Securities Industry
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring charges and asset impairments recognized		(10.7)		(33.6)
Industrial Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring charges and asset impairments recognized		(31.6)		(47.2)
Segment, Continuing Operations | Construction and Do It Yourself
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES		1,376.1	1,337.6	3,991.5	3,912.8
Segment profit		200.3	169.8	564.6	516.9
Segment, Continuing Operations | Securities Industry
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES		789.7	648.2	2,344.7	1,811.2
Segment profit		120.2	107.3	319.2	283.8
Segment, Continuing Operations | Industrial Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
NET SALES		620.9	633.9	1,917.6	1,860.5
Segment profit		$ 95.1	$ 106.8	$ 314.1	$ 308.7