Accounts Receivable (Schedule Of Finance And Contract Receivables On Non-Accrual Status) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Finance receivables	$ 6.6	$ 6.8
Contract receivables	$ 0.8	$ 0.7

Notes And Loans Receivable Recorded Investment Non-Accrual Status

No definition available.

Name:	sna_NotesAndLoansReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonAccrualStatus
Namespace Prefix:	sna_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant