Exit And Disposal Activities (Recorded Costs Associated With Exit And Disposal Activities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	$ 4.0	$ 3.0
Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	3.5	0.2
Snap-On Tools Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.2	2.8
Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.3
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.4	2.5
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.1	0.2
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member] | Snap-On Tools Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.1	2.3
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.2
Operating Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	3.6	0.5
Operating Expenses [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	3.4
Operating Expenses [Member] | Snap-On Tools Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	0.1	0.5
Operating Expenses [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and disposal costs	$ 0.1