Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MAGNETEK, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000751085
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,177,050