Document and Entity Information Document - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2015	Aug. 01, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MAGNETEK, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000751085
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 28, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,568,227