Snap-on (SNA) 10-Q 16 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 10, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	27-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'SNA	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SNAP-ON Inc	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000091440	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--01-03	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	58,107,602

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$806.30	$753.20	$2,420.30	$2,259
Cost of goods sold	-412.4	-388.9	-1,247.30	-1,164.60
Gross profit	393.9	364.3	1,173	1,094.40
Operating expenses	-263.3	-253	-782.6	-757.5
Operating earnings before financial services	130.6	111.3	390.4	336.9
Financial services revenue	53.6	45.1	155.5	133.6
Financial services expenses	-15.9	-13.5	-48.6	-40.9
Operating earnings from financial services	37.7	31.6	106.9	92.7
Operating earnings	168.3	142.9	497.3	429.6
Interest expense	-12.7	-14.4	-39.1	-41.8
Other income (expense) - net	-0.9	-0.8	-0.7	-3.1
Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings	154.7	127.7	457.5	384.7
Income tax expense	-48.4	-40.8	-144.6	-122.1
Earnings before equity earnings	106.3	86.9	312.9	262.6
Equity earnings, net of tax	0.1	0.1	0.5	0.2
Net earnings	106.4	87	313.4	262.8
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2.7	-2.4	-7.7	-7
Net earnings attributable to Snap-on Incorporated	$103.70	$84.60	$305.70	$255.80
Net earnings per share attributable to Snap-on Incorporated:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$1.78	$1.45	$5.26	$4.40
Diluted	$1.76	$1.43	$5.18	$4.33
Weighted-average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	58,110,855	58,163,261	58,148,345	58,221,047
Effect of dilutive securities	902,197	837,840	881,249	848,938
Diluted	59,013,052	59,001,101	59,029,594	59,069,985
Dividends declared per common share	$0.44	$0.38	$1.32	$1.14

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014		Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 27, 2014		Sep. 28, 2013
Comprehensive income (loss):	'		'		'		'
Net earnings	$106.40		$87		$313.40		$262.80
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'		'		'		'
Foreign currency translation	-64.8	[1]	39.3	[1]	-63.3	[1]	-4.9	[1]
Unrealized cash flow hedges, net of tax:	'		'		'		'
Reclassification of cash flow hedges to net earnings	-0.1		-0.1		-0.3		-0.3
Amortization of net unrecognized losses and prior service credits included in net periodic pension cost	5.6		10.2		16.6		30.5
Income tax benefit	-2.1		-4.6		-6.1		-12.2
Net of tax	3.5		5.6		10.5		18.3
Total comprehensive income	45		131.8		260.3		275.9
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2.7		-2.4		-7.7		-7
Comprehensive income attributable to Snap-on Incorporated	$42.30		$129.40		$252.60		$268.90
[1]	There was no sale or liquidation of any foreign entity; therefore, there is no reclassification adjustment for any period presented.

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$124.70	$217.60
Trade and other accounts receivable - net	574.4	531.6
Finance receivables - net	407.3	374.6
Contract receivables - net	76.2	68.4
Inventories - net	484.6	434.4
Deferred income tax assets	96.1	85.4
Prepaid expenses and other assets	96.9	84.2
Total current assets	1,860.20	1,796.20
Property and equipment:	'	'
Land	18.9	19.6
Buildings and improvements	291.7	292
Machinery, equipment and computer software	754	725.4
Total property and equipment	1,064.60	1,037
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-660.5	-644.5
Property and equipment - net	404.1	392.5
Deferred income tax assets	48.1	57.1
Long-term finance receivables - net	629.1	560.6
Long-term contract receivables - net	237.7	217.1
Goodwill	828.5	838.8
Other intangibles - net	207.1	190.5
Other assets	53.7	57.2
Total assets	4,268.50	4,110
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	58.7	113.1
Accounts payable	167.6	155.6
Accrued benefits	50.7	48.1
Accrued compensation	92.1	95.5
Franchisee deposits	71.1	59.4
Other accrued liabilities	293.7	243.7
Total current liabilities	733.9	715.4
Long-term debt	860.5	858.9
Deferred income tax liabilities	148.2	143.8
Retiree health care benefits	38.4	41.7
Pension liabilities	108.7	135.8
Other long-term liabilities	84.3	84
Total liabilities	1,974	1,979.60
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)	'	'
Equity	'	'
Preferred stock (authorized 15,000,000 shares of $1 par value; none outstanding)	'	'
Common stock (authorized 250,000,000 shares of $1 par value; issued 67,382,935 and 67,371,679 shares, respectively)	67.4	67.4
Additional paid-in capital	252.1	225.1
Retained earnings	2,552.10	2,324.10
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-97.9	-44.8
Treasury stock at cost (9,276,434 and 9,255,903 shares, respectively)	-496.7	-458.6
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Snap-on Incorporated	2,277	2,113.20
Noncontrolling interests	17.5	17.2
Total equity	2,294.50	2,130.40
Total liabilities and equity	$4,268.50	$4,110

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par Value	$1	$1
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common Stock, Par Value	$1	$1
Common Stock, Shares Issued	67,382,935	67,371,679
Treasury stock shares at cost	9,276,434	9,255,903

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Millions
Balance at Dec. 29, 2012	$1,819	$67.40	$204.60	$2,067	($124.20)	($412.70)	$16.90
Net earnings	262.8	'	'	255.8	'	'	7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13.1	'	'	'	13.1	'	'
Cash dividends	-66.5	'	'	-66.5	'	'	'
Dividend reinvestment plan and other	-7.9	'	'	-0.9	'	'	-7
Stock compensation plans	46.6	'	15.5	'	'	31.1	'
Share repurchases	-67.5	'	'	'	'	-67.5	'
Tax benefit from certain stock options	6.5	'	6.5	'	'	'	'
Balance at Sep. 28, 2013	2,006.10	67.4	226.6	2,255.40	-111.1	-449.1	16.9
Balance at Dec. 28, 2013	2,130.40	67.4	225.1	2,324.10	-44.8	-458.6	17.2
Net earnings	313.4	'	'	305.7	'	'	7.7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-53.1	'	'	'	-53.1	'	'
Cash dividends	-76.8	'	'	-76.8	'	'	'
Dividend reinvestment plan and other	-8.3	'	'	-0.9	'	'	-7.4
Stock compensation plans	46.1	'	16.7	'	'	29.4	'
Share repurchases	-67.5	'	'	'	'	-67.5	'
Tax benefit from certain stock options	10.3	'	10.3	'	'	'	'
Balance at Sep. 27, 2014	$2,294.50	$67.40	$252.10	$2,552.10	($97.90)	($496.70)	$17.50

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Cash dividends per share	$1.32	$1.14
Share repurchases, shares	591,000	782,000
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'
Cash dividends per share	$1.32	$1.14
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'
Share repurchases, shares	591,000	782,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Operating activities:	'	'
Net earnings	$313.40	$262.80
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	40.6	38.3
Amortization of other intangibles	18.4	19.4
Provision for losses on finance receivables	19.8	15
Provision for losses on non-finance receivables	10.7	7.9
Stock-based compensation expense	27.3	28.9
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-10.3	-6.5
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	-3.1	2.8
Loss on sale of assets	0.2	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Increase in trade and other accounts receivable	-61.7	-27.8
Increase in contract receivables	-31.7	-31.4
Increase in inventories	-57.5	-35.5
Increase in prepaid and other assets	-32.2	-25.5
Increase in accounts payable	16.6	16.7
Increase in accruals and other liabilities	50.2	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	300.7	270.1
Investing activities:	'	'
Additions to finance receivables	-549.2	-482.4
Collections of finance receivables	425.1	373.7
Capital expenditures	-63.3	-50.7
Acquisitions of businesses	-41.3	-38.2
Disposal of property and equipment	0.6	0.7
Other	0.9	-9
Net cash used by investing activities	-227.2	-205.9
Financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of long-term debt	-100	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	4.9	1.6
Repayments of short-term borrowings	-1.6	-0.5
Net increase in other short-term borrowings	43.2	12.1
Cash dividends paid	-76.8	-66.5
Purchases of treasury stock	-67.5	-67.5
Proceeds from stock purchase and option plans	30.8	27.9
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	10.3	6.5
Other	-9	-8.7
Net cash used by financing activities	-165.7	-95.1
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-0.7	-1.1
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-92.9	-32
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	217.6	214.5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	124.7	182.5
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	-51.1	-53.8
Net cash paid for income taxes	($135.90)	($117.40)

Summary_of_Accounting_Policies

Summary of Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accounting Policies	'
	Note 1: Summary of Accounting Policies
	Principles of consolidation and presentation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Snap-on Incorporated and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Snap-on” or “the company”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with, and have been prepared in conformity with, the accounting principles reflected in the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Snap-on’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 (“2013 year end”).
	Snap-on’s 2014 fiscal year, which ends on January 3, 2015, will contain 53 weeks of operating results, with the additional week occurring in the fourth quarter. The company’s 2013 fiscal year contained 52 weeks of operating results. Snap-on’s 2014 fiscal third quarter ended on September 27, 2014; the 2013 fiscal third quarter ended on September 28, 2013.
	Snap-on accounts for investments in unconsolidated affiliates where Snap-on has a greater than 20% but less than 50% ownership interest under the equity method of accounting. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $13.7 million as of September 27, 2014, and $14.2 million as of December 28, 2013, are included in “Other assets” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the normal course of business, the company may purchase products or services from unconsolidated affiliates; purchases from unconsolidated affiliates were $3.5 million in both the third quarters of 2014 and 2013, and were $10.9 million and $11.2 million in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include the accounts of the company’s independent franchisees. Snap-on’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, have been made. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Financial Instruments
	The fair value of the company’s derivative financial instruments is generally determined using quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities. The carrying value of the company’s non-derivative financial instruments either approximates fair value, due to their short-term nature, or the amount disclosed for fair value is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis or quoted market values. See Note 9 for further information on financial instruments.
	New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The ASU is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be
	entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The ASU becomes effective for Snap-on at the beginning of its 2017 fiscal year; early adoption is not permitted. The company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Note 2: Acquisitions
	On May 28, 2014, Snap-on acquired substantially all of the assets of Pro-Cut International, Inc. (“Pro-Cut”) for a cash purchase price of $41.3 million, including post-closing adjustments. Pro-Cut, with 2013 sales of approximately $24 million, designs, manufactures and distributes on-car brake lathes, related equipment and accessories used in brake servicing by automotive repair facilities. The acquisition of the Pro-Cut product line complements and increases Snap-on’s existing undercar equipment product offering, broadens its established capabilities in servicing vehicle repair facilities and expands the company’s presence with repair shop owners and managers. For segment reporting purposes, the results of operations and assets of Pro-Cut have been included in the Repair Systems & Information Group since the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information has not been presented as the net effects of the Pro-Cut acquisition were neither significant nor material to Snap-on’s results of operations or financial position.
	On May 13, 2013, Snap-on acquired Challenger Lifts, Inc. (“Challenger”) for a cash purchase price of $38.2 million, including post-closing adjustments. Challenger designs, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive line of vehicle lifts and accessories to a diverse customer base in the automotive repair sector. For segment reporting purposes, the results of operations and assets of Challenger have been included in the Repair Systems & Information Group since the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information has not been presented as the net effects of the Challenger acquisition were neither significant nor material to Snap-on’s results of operations or financial position.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Note 3: Receivables
	Trade and Other Accounts Receivable
	Snap-on’s trade and other accounts receivable primarily arise from the sale of tools and diagnostic and equipment products to a broad range of industrial and commercial customers and to Snap-on’s independent franchise van channel on a non-extended-term basis with payment terms generally ranging from 30 to 120 days.
	The components of Snap-on’s trade and other accounts receivable as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Trade and other accounts receivable	$	590		$	546.5
	Allowances for doubtful accounts		(15.6	)		(14.9	)
	Total trade and other accounts receivable – net	$	574.4		$	531.6
	Finance and Contract Receivables
	Snap-on Credit LLC (“SOC”), the company’s financial services operation in the United States, originates extended-term finance and contract receivables on sales of Snap-on products through the U.S. franchisee and customer network and to Snap-on’s industrial and other customers; Snap-on’s foreign finance subsidiaries provide similar financing internationally. Interest income on finance and contract receivables is included in “Financial services revenue” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	Snap-on’s finance receivables are comprised of extended-term installment payment contracts to both technicians and independent shop owners (i.e., franchisees’ customers) to enable them to purchase tools and diagnostic and equipment products on an extended-term payment plan, generally with expected average payment terms of approximately three years. Contract receivables, with payment terms of up to 10 years, are comprised of extended-term installment payment contracts to a broad base of industrial and other customers worldwide, including shop owners, both independents and national chains, for their purchase of tools and diagnostic and equipment products. Contract receivables also include extended-term installment loans to franchisees to meet a number of financing needs including working capital loans, loans to enable new franchisees to fund the purchase of the franchise and van leases. Finance and contract receivables are generally secured by the underlying tools and/or diagnostic or equipment products financed and, for installment loans to franchisees, other franchisee assets.
	During both the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, Snap-on did not have any significant purchases or sales of finance or contract receivables.
	The components of Snap-on’s current finance and contract receivables as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $16.1 million and $14.1 million, respectively	$	419.1		$	385.3
	Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $14.0 million and $13.0 million, respectively		77.5			69.6
	Total		496.6			454.9
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Finance receivables		(11.8	)		(10.7	)
	Contract receivables		(1.3	)		(1.2	)
	Total		(13.1	)		(11.9	)
	Total current finance and contract receivables – net	$	483.5		$	443
	Finance receivables – net	$	407.3		$	374.6
	Contract receivables – net		76.2			68.4
	Total current finance and contract receivables – net	$	483.5		$	443
	The components of Snap-on’s finance and contract receivables with payment terms beyond one year as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $10.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively	$	648.6		$	577.7
	Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $18.5 million and $17.3 million, respectively		240.3			219.2
	Total		888.9			796.9
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Finance receivables		(19.5	)		(17.1	)
	Contract receivables		(2.6	)		(2.1	)
	Total		(22.1	)		(19.2	)
	Total long-term finance and contract receivables – net	$	866.8		$	777.7
	Finance receivables – net	$	629.1		$	560.6
	Contract receivables – net		237.7			217.1
	Total long-term finance and contract receivables – net	$	866.8		$	777.7
	Delinquency is the primary indicator of credit quality for finance and contract receivables. Receivable balances are considered delinquent when contractual payments become 30 days past due.
	Finance receivables are generally placed on nonaccrual status (nonaccrual of interest and other fees) (i) when a customer is placed on repossession status; (ii) upon receipt of notification of bankruptcy; (iii) upon notification of the death of a customer; or (iv) in other instances in which management concludes collectability is not reasonably assured. Finance receivables that are considered nonperforming include receivables that are on nonaccrual status and receivables that are generally more than 90 days past due.
	Contract receivables are generally placed on nonaccrual status (i) when a receivable is more than 90 days past due or at the point a customer’s account is placed on terminated status regardless of its delinquency status; (ii) upon notification of the death of a customer; or (iii) in other instances in which management concludes collectability is not reasonably assured. Contract receivables that are considered nonperforming include receivables that are on nonaccrual status.
	The accrual of interest and other fees is resumed when the finance or contract receivable becomes contractually current and collection of all remaining contractual amounts due is reasonably assured. Finance and contract receivables are evaluated for impairment on a collective basis. A receivable is impaired when it is probable that all amounts related to the receivable will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the applicable agreement. Impaired receivables are covered by the company’s finance and contract allowances for doubtful accounts reserves and are charged-off against the reserves when appropriate. As of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, there were $15.5 million and $15.2 million, respectively, of impaired finance receivables, and there were $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of impaired contract receivables.
	It is the general practice of Snap-on’s financial services business to not engage in contract or loan modifications. In limited instances, Snap-on’s financial services business may modify certain impaired receivables in troubled debt restructurings. The amount and number of restructured finance and contract receivables as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, were immaterial to both the financial services portfolio and the company’s results of operations and financial position.
	The aging of finance and contract receivables as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
	(Amounts in millions)	30-59			60-90			Greater			Total Past			Total Not		Total		Greater
		Days Past			Days Past			Than 90			Due			Past Due				Than 90
		Due			Due			Days Past										Days Past
								Due										Due and
																		Accruing
	September 27, 2014:
	Finance receivables	$	9.6		$	5.9		$	9.9		$	25.4		$	1,042.30	$	1,067.70	$	7.2
	Contract receivables		1.3			0.5			0.6			2.4			315.4		317.8		0.2
	December 28, 2013
	Finance receivables	$	9.3		$	5.7		$	9.6		$	24.6		$	938.4	$	963	$	7
	Contract receivables		1.2			0.8			0.7			2.7			286.1		288.8		0.1
	The amount of performing and nonperforming finance and contract receivables based on payment activity as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
		September 27, 2014						December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Finance			Contract			Finance			Contract
		Receivables			Receivables			Receivables			Receivables
	Performing	$	1,052.20		$	316.5		$	947.8		$	287.8
Nonperforming		15.5			1.3			15.2			1
Total	$	1,067.70		$	317.8		$	963		$	288.8
The amount of finance and contract receivables on nonaccrual status as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
	September 27,			December 28,
(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
Finance receivables	$	8.5		$	8.3
Contract receivables		1.3			1
The following is a rollforward of the allowances for credit losses for finance and contract receivables for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014:
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 27, 2014						September 27, 2014
(Amounts in millions)	Finance			Contract			Finance			Contract
	Receivables			Receivables			Receivables			Receivables
Allowances for doubtful accounts:
Beginning of period	$	30.4		$	3.8		$	27.8		$	3.3
Provision for bad debt expense		6.4			0.5			19.8			1.8
Charge-offs		(6.6	)		(0.5	)		(20.1	)		(1.5	)
Recoveries		1.2			0.1			3.8			0.3
Currency translation		(0.1	)		—			—			—
End of period	$	31.3		$	3.9		$	31.3		$	3.9
The following is a rollforward of the allowances for credit losses for finance and contract receivables for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013:
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 28, 2013						September 28, 2013
(Amounts in millions)	Finance			Contract			Finance			Contract
	Receivables			Receivables			Receivables			Receivables
Allowances for doubtful accounts:
Beginning of period	$	26.6		$	3.5		$	26.5		$	3.2
Provision for bad debt expense		5.5			0.2			15			1.7
Charge-offs		(5.5	)		(0.4	)		(17.1	)		(1.6	)
Recoveries		1.1			0.1			3.4			0.2
Currency translation		—			—			(0.1	)		(0.1	)
End of period	$	27.7		$	3.4		$	27.7		$	3.4

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Note 4: Inventories
	Inventories by major classification are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finished goods	$	420.6		$	374.7
	Work in progress		47.5			45
	Raw materials		89.1			87.3
	Total FIFO value		557.2			507
	Excess of current cost over LIFO cost		(72.6	)		(72.6	)
	Total inventories – net	$	484.6		$	434.4
	Inventories accounted for using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, approximated 57% and 60%, respectively, of total inventories. The company accounts for its non-U.S. inventory on the FIFO method. As of September 27, 2014, approximately 29% of the company’s U.S. inventory was accounted for using the FIFO method and 71% was accounted for using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. There were no LIFO inventory liquidations in the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, or September 28, 2013.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Note 5: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, are as follows:
	(Amounts in millions)	Commercial			Snap-on			Repair Systems			Total
		& Industrial			Tools Group			& Information
		Group						Group
	Balance as of December 28, 2013	$	312.5		$	12.5		$	513.8		$	838.8
	Currency translation		(21.4	)		—			(2.1	)		(23.5	)
	Acquisition		—			—			13.2			13.2
	Balance as of September 27, 2014	$	291.1		$	12.5		$	524.9		$	828.5
	Goodwill of $828.5 million as of September 27, 2014, includes $13.2 million from the purchase accounting related to the May 2014 acquisition of Pro-Cut. See Note 2 for additional information on the company’s acquisition of Pro-Cut.
	Additional disclosures related to other intangible assets are as follows:
		September 27, 2014						December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Value			Amortization			Value			Amortization
	Amortized other intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	148.2		$	(69.6	)	$	140.8		$	(62.8	)
	Developed technology		19.5			(19.5	)		19.5			(19.2	)
	Internally developed software		138.2			(88.7	)		125.3			(80.2	)
	Patents		29.3			(20.7	)		28.8			(20.4	)
	Trademarks		2.7			(1.6	)		2.8			(1.6	)
	Other		7.6			(1.6	)		7.3			(1.4	)
	Total		345.5			(201.7	)		324.5			(185.6	)
	Non-amortized trademarks		63.3			—			51.6			—
	Total other intangible assets	$	408.8		$	(201.7	)	$	376.1		$	(185.6	)
	The gross carrying values of customer relationships and non-amortized trademarks as of September 27, 2014, included $7.4 million and $13.8 million, respectively, related to the Pro-Cut acquisition.
	Snap-on completed its annual impairment testing of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets in the second quarter of 2014, the results of which did not result in any impairment. Significant and unanticipated changes in circumstances, such as declines in profitability and cash flow due to significant and long-term deterioration in macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, the loss of key customers, changes in technology or markets, significant changes in key personnel or litigation, a significant and sustained decrease in share price and/or other events, including effects from the sale or disposal of a reporting unit, could require a provision for impairment of goodwill and/or other intangible assets in a future period. As of September 27, 2014, the company did not have any accumulated goodwill and/or other intangible asset impairment losses.
	The weighted-average amortization periods related to other intangible assets are as follows:
		In Years
	Customer relationships		15
	Developed technology		5
	Internally developed software		3
	Patents		10
	Trademarks		6
	Other		39
	Snap-on is amortizing its customer relationships on both an accelerated and straight-line basis over a 15 year weighted-average life; the remaining intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis. The weighted-average amortization period for all amortizable intangibles on a combined basis is 12 years.
	The company’s customer relationships generally have contractual terms of three to five years and are typically renewed without significant cost to the company. The weighted-average 15 year life for customer relationships is based on the company’s historical renewal experience. Intangible asset renewal costs are expensed as incurred.
	The aggregate amortization expense was $6.1 million and $18.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, respectively, and was $6.6 million and $19.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, respectively. Based on current levels of amortizable intangible assets and estimated weighted-average useful lives, estimated annual amortization expense is expected to be $24.3 million in 2014, $20.1 million in 2015, $15.4 million in 2016, $12.0 million in 2017, $9.6 million in 2018, and $9.2 million in 2019.

Exit_and_Disposal_Activities

Exit and Disposal Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Exit and Disposal Activities	'
	Note 6: Exit and Disposal Activities
	Snap-on recorded costs associated with exit and disposal activities for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,		September 28,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Exit and disposal costs:
	Cost of goods sold:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	0.5	$	0.3	$	0.5	$	2.5
	Snap-on Tools Group		–		0.1		–		0.2
	Repair Systems & Information Group		1.0		0.9		4.2		1.7
	Total cost of goods sold		1.5		1.3		4.7		4.4
	Operating expenses:
	Commercial & Industrial Group		0.4		0.3		0.4		0.4
	Snap-on Tools Group		–		0.1		–		0.3
	Repair Systems & Information Group		0.1		–		0.3		1.2
	Total operating expenses		0.5		0.4		0.7		1.9
	Financial Services		–		–		–		0.1
	Total exit and disposal costs:
	Commercial & Industrial Group		0.9		0.6		0.9		2.9
	Snap-on Tools Group		–		0.2		–		0.5
	Repair Systems & Information Group		1.1		0.9		4.5		2.9
	Financial Services		–		–		–		0.1
	Total exit and disposal costs	$	2.0	$	1.7	$	5.4	$	6.4
	Costs associated with exit and disposal activities in 2014 primarily relate to headcount reduction initiatives. The $2.0 million and $5.4 million of costs incurred during the respective three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, qualified for accrual treatment.
	Snap-on’s exit and disposal accrual activity for the first nine months of 2014 is as follows:
		Balance at		Six Months				Balance at		Third Quarter				Balance at
		December 28,						June  28,						September 27,
	(Amounts in millions)	2013		Provision		Usage		2014		Provision		Usage		2014
	Severance costs:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	1.5	$	–	$	(0.5)	$	1.0	$	0.9	$	(0.3)	$	1.6
	Snap-on Tools Group		0.2		–		(0.1)		0.1		–		(0.1)		–
	Repair Systems & Information Group		2.3		3.4		(0.6)		5.1		1.1		(0.9)		5.3
	Total	$	4.0	$	3.4	$	(1.2)	$	6.2	$	2.0	$	(1.3)	$	6.9
	As of September 27, 2014, the company expects that approximately $2.0 million of the $6.9 million exit and disposal accrual will be utilized in the balance of 2014 and the remainder will extend into 2015 primarily for longer-term severance obligations.
	Snap-on expects to fund the remaining cash requirements of its exit and disposal activities with available cash on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowings under the company’s existing credit facilities. The estimated costs for the exit and disposal activities were based on management’s best business judgment under prevailing circumstances.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 7: Income Taxes
	Snap-on’s effective income tax rate on earnings attributable to Snap-on was 32.1% and 32.3% in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Snap-on and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the United States and in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that certain unrecognized tax benefits may either be settled with taxing authorities or the statutes of limitations for such items may lapse within the next 12 months, causing Snap-on’s gross unrecognized tax benefits to decrease by a range of zero to $1.2 million. Over the next 12 months, Snap-on anticipates taking certain tax positions on various tax returns for which the related tax benefit does not meet the recognition threshold. Accordingly, Snap-on’s gross unrecognized tax benefits may increase by a range of zero to $0.7 million over the next 12 months for uncertain tax positions expected to be taken in future tax filings.

Shortterm_and_Longterm_Debt

Short-term and Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Short-term and Long-term Debt	'
	Note 8: Short-term and Long-term Debt
	Short-term and long-term debt as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, consisted of the following:
			September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)		2014			2013
	5.85% unsecured notes due March 2014		$	—		$	100
	5.50% unsecured notes due 2017			150			150
	4.25% unsecured notes due 2018			250			250
	6.70% unsecured notes due 2019			200			200
	6.125% unsecured notes due 2021			250			250
	Other debt*			69.2			22
				919.2			972
	Less: notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt			(58.7	)		(113.1	)
	Total long-term debt		$	860.5		$	858.9
	*	Includes fair value adjustments related to interest rate swaps.
	Notes payable of $58.7 million as of September 27, 2014, included $36.7 million of commercial paper borrowings and $22.0 million of other notes; there were no current maturities of long-term debt as of that date. As of 2013 year end, notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt of $113.1 million included $100.0 million of 5.85% unsecured notes due March 2014 (the “2014 Notes”) and $13.1 million of other notes. Snap-on repaid the 2014 Notes at maturity with available cash and commercial paper borrowings.
	Snap-on has a five-year, $700 million multi-currency revolving credit facility that terminates on September 27, 2018 (the “Credit Facility”); no amounts were outstanding under the Credit Facility as of September 27, 2014. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at varying rates based on Snap-on’s then-current, long-term debt ratings. The Credit Facility’s financial covenant requires that Snap-on maintain, as of each fiscal quarter end, either (i) a ratio not greater than 0.60 to 1.00 of consolidated net debt (consolidated debt net of certain cash adjustments) to the sum of such consolidated net debt plus total equity and less accumulated other comprehensive income or loss; or (ii) a ratio not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 of such consolidated net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other adjustments for the preceding four fiscal quarters then ended. As of September 27, 2014, the company’s actual ratios of 0.28 and 1.20, respectively, were both within the permitted ranges set forth in this financial covenant.
	Snap-on’s Credit Facility and other debt agreements also contains certain usual and customary borrowing, affirmative, negative and maintenance covenants. As of September 27, 2014, Snap-on was in compliance with all covenants of its Credit Facility and other debt agreements.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments	'
	Note 9: Financial Instruments
	Derivatives: All derivative instruments are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on whether the derivative is designated and effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains or losses on derivative instruments recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“Accumulated OCI”) must be reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the underlying hedged item and the ineffective portion of all hedges must be recognized in earnings in the period that such portion is determined to be ineffective.
	The criteria used to determine if hedge accounting treatment is appropriate are (i) the designation of the hedge to an underlying exposure; (ii) whether or not overall risk is being reduced; and (iii) if there is a correlation between the value of the derivative instrument and the underlying hedged item. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, Snap-on designates the derivative as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, or a natural hedging instrument whose change in fair value is recognized as an economic hedge against changes in the value of the hedged item. Snap-on does not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
	The company is exposed to global market risks, including the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and the company’s stock price, and therefore uses derivatives to manage financial exposures that occur in the normal course of business. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and stock-based deferred compensation risk.
	Foreign Currency Risk Management: Snap-on has significant international operations and is subject to certain risks inherent with foreign operations that include currency fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange risk exists to the extent that Snap-on has payment obligations or receipts denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, including intercompany loans denominated in foreign currencies. To manage these exposures, Snap-on identifies naturally offsetting positions and purchases hedging instruments to protect the residual net exposures. Snap-on manages most of these exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows for netting of certain exposures to take advantage of natural offsets. Foreign currency forward contracts (“foreign currency forwards”) are used to hedge the net exposures. Gains or losses on net foreign currency hedges are intended to offset losses or gains on the underlying net exposures in an effort to reduce the earnings volatility resulting from fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. Snap-on’s foreign currency forwards are typically not designated as hedges. The fair value changes of these contracts are reported in earnings as foreign exchange gain or loss, which is included in “Other income (expense) – net” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	At September 27, 2014, Snap-on had $205.1 million of net foreign currency forward buy contracts outstanding comprised of buy contracts including $97.7 million in euros, $74.7 million in Swedish kronor, $36.0 million in Australian dollars, $6.0 million in Chinese yuan, $6.0 million in South Korean won, $5.6 million in Singapore dollars, $5.5 million in British pounds, $4.9 million in Mexican pesos, $3.2 million in Hong Kong dollars, and $3.5 million in other currencies, and sell contracts comprised of $16.4 million in Japanese yen, $15.9 million in Canadian dollars, and $5.7 million in other currencies. At December 28, 2013, Snap-on had $197.1 million of net foreign currency forward buy contracts outstanding comprised of buy contracts including $89.1 million in euros, $64.3 million in Swedish kronor, $33.8 million in Australian dollars, $26.2 million in British pounds, $12.7 million in Singapore dollars, $7.8 million in Hong Kong dollars, $5.5 million in South Korean won, and $4.7 million in Mexican pesos, and sell contracts comprised of $25.6 million in Canadian dollars, $12.2 million in Japanese yen, $4.8 million in Danish kroner, and $4.4 million in other currencies.
	Interest Rate Risk Management: Snap-on aims to control funding costs by managing the exposure created by the differing maturities and interest rate structures of Snap-on’s borrowings through the use of interest rate swap agreements.
	Snap-on enters into interest rate swap agreements (“interest rate swaps”) to manage risks associated with changing interest rates related to the company’s fixed rate borrowings. Interest rate swaps are accounted for as fair value hedges. The differentials paid or received on interest rate swaps are recognized as adjustments to “Interest expense” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in “Long-term debt” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, while any ineffective portion is recorded as an adjustment to “Interest expense” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding and designated as fair value hedges was $100.0 million as of both September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013.
	Snap-on enters into treasury lock agreements (“treasury locks”) from time to time to manage the potential change in interest rates in anticipation of issuing fixed rate debt. Treasury locks are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The effective differentials paid or received on treasury locks related to the anticipated issuance of fixed rate debt are recognized as adjustments to “Interest expense” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. There were no treasury locks outstanding as of September 27, 2014, or December 28, 2013, and no treasury locks were settled during either of the first nine months of 2014 or 2013.
	Stock-based Deferred Compensation Risk Management: Snap-on aims to manage market risk associated with the stock-based portion of its deferred compensation plans through the use of prepaid equity forward agreements (“equity forwards”). Equity forwards are used to aid in offsetting the potential mark-to-market effect on stock-based deferred compensation from changes in Snap-on’s stock price. Since stock-based deferred compensation liabilities increase as the company’s stock price rises and decrease as the company’s stock price declines, the equity forwards are intended to mitigate the potential impact on deferred compensation expense that may result from such mark-to-market changes. As of September 27, 2014, Snap-on had equity forwards in place intended to manage market risk with respect to 118,800 shares of Snap-on common stock associated with its deferred compensation plans.
	Fair Value Measurements: Snap-on has derivative assets and liabilities related to interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards and equity forwards that are measured at Level 2 fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of derivative instruments included within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
					September 27, 2014								December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)		Balance Sheet Presentation		Asset				Liability				Asset				Liability
					Derivatives				Derivatives				Derivatives				Derivatives
					Fair Value				Fair Value				Fair Value				Fair Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps		Other assets		$	10.7			$	—			$	10.1			$	—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forwards		Prepaid expenses and other assets		$	3.8			$	—			$	4.1			$	—
	Foreign currency forwards		Other accrued liabilities			—				15.2				—				5.6
	Equity forwards		Prepaid expenses and other assets			14.5				—				11.5				—
	Total				$	18.3			$	15.2			$	15.6			$	5.6
	Total derivatives instruments				$	29			$	15.2			$	25.7			$	5.6
	As of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, the fair value adjustment to long-term debt related to the interest rate swaps was $10.7 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between participants at the measurement date. Level 2 fair value measurements for derivative assets and liabilities are measured using quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities. Interest rate swap values are based on the six-month LIBOR swap rate for similar instruments. Foreign currency forwards are valued based on exchange rates quoted by domestic and foreign banks for similar instruments. Equity forwards are valued using a market approach based primarily on the company’s stock price at the reporting date. The company did not have any derivative assets or liabilities measured at Level 1 or Level 3, nor did it implement any changes in its valuation techniques as of and for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014.
	The effects of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges as included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows:
					Effective Portion of Gain Recognized in Income
			Statement of Earnings		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)		Presentation		September 27,				September 28,				September 27,				September 28,
					2014				2013				2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps		Interest expense		$	1			$	1			$	3			$	3
	The effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as included in Accumulated OCI on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows:
			Effective Portion of Gain								Statement of		Effective Portion of Gain
			Recognized in								Earnings		Reclassified from Accumulated
			Accumulated OCI								Presentation		OCI into Income
	(Amounts in millions)		Three Months Ended										Three Months Ended
			September 27,				September 28,						September 27,				September 28,
			2014				2013						2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Treasury locks		$	—			$	—			Interest expense		$	0.1			$	0.1
			Effective Portion of Gain								Statement of		Effective Portion of Gain
			Recognized in								Earnings		Reclassified from Accumulated
			Accumulated OCI								Presentation		OCI into Income
	(Amounts in millions)		Nine Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
			September 27,				September 28,						September 27,				September 28,
			2014				2013						2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Treasury locks		$	—			$	—			Interest expense		$	0.3			$	0.3
	The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments as included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows:
			Statement of Earnings		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
			Presentation		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)				September 27,				September 28,				September 27,				September 28,
					2014				2013				2014				2013
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forwards		Other income (expense) – net		$	(11.5	)		$	8			$	(10.5	)		$	2.1
	Equity forwards		Operating expenses			0.6				1.3				1.9				2.4
	Snap-on’s foreign currency forwards are typically not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. The fair value changes of foreign currency forwards not designated as hedging instruments are reported in earnings as foreign exchange gain or loss in “Other income (expense) – net” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The $11.5 million derivative loss recognized in the third quarter of 2014 was offset by transaction gains on net exposures of $10.5 million, resulting in a net foreign exchange loss of $1.0 million for the quarter. The $8.0 million derivative gain recognized in the third quarter of 2013 was offset by transaction losses on net exposures of $8.9 million, resulting in a net foreign exchange loss of $0.9 million for the quarter. The $10.5 million derivative loss recognized in the first nine months of 2014 was offset by transaction gains on net exposures of $9.4 million, resulting in a 2014 year-to-date net foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million. The $2.1 million derivative gain recognized in the first nine months of 2013 was offset by transaction losses on net exposures of $5.5 million, resulting in a 2013 year-to-date net foreign exchange loss of $3.4 million. The resulting net foreign exchange gains and losses are included in “Other income (expense) – net” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. See Note 15 for additional information on “Other income (expense) – net.”
	Snap-on’s equity forwards are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. Fair value changes of both the equity forwards and related stock-based (mark-to-market) deferred compensation liabilities are reported in “Operating expenses” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The $0.6 million derivative gain recognized in the third quarter of 2014 was offset by $0.5 million of mark-to-market deferred compensation expense. The $1.3 million derivative gain recognized in the third quarter of 2013 was offset by $1.0 million of mark-to-market deferred compensation expense. The $1.9 million derivative gain recognized in the first nine months of 2014 was offset by $1.9 million of mark-to-market deferred compensation expense. The $2.4 million derivative gain recognized in the first nine months of 2013 was offset by $2.8 million of mark-to-market deferred compensation expense.
	As of September 27, 2014, the maximum maturity date of any fair value hedge was seven years. During the next 12 months, Snap-on expects to reclassify into earnings net gains from Accumulated OCI of approximately $0.2 million after tax at the time the underlying hedge transactions are realized.
	See the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for additional information on changes in comprehensive income.
	Counterparty Risk: Snap-on is exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to its various financial agreements, including its foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swap agreements and prepaid equity forward agreements. Snap-on does not obtain collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk, but monitors the credit standing of the counterparties and generally enters into agreements with financial institution counterparties with a credit rating of A- or better. Snap-on does not anticipate non-performance by its counterparties, but cannot provide assurances.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair values of financial instruments that do not approximate the carrying values in the financial statements are as follows:
		September 27, 2014								December 28, 2013
(Amounts in millions)		Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Value				Value				Value				Value
Finance receivables – net		$	1,036.40			$	1,194.70			$	935.2			$	1,084.10
Contract receivables – net			313.9				360.3				285.5				326.7
Long-term debt, notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt			919.2				1,028.20				972				1,078.90
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:
	•		Finance and contract receivables include both short-term and long-term receivables. The fair value of finance and contract receivables was estimated, using Level 2 fair value measurements, based on a discounted cash flow analysis that was performed over the average life of the receivables using a current market discount rate of a similar term adjusted for credit quality.
	•		Fair value of long-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt was estimated, using Level 2 fair value measurements, based on quoted market values of Snap-on’s publicly traded senior debt. The carrying value of long-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt includes adjustments related to fair value hedges. The fair value of notes payable approximates such instruments’ carrying value due to their short-term nature.
	•		The fair value of all other financial instruments, including cash equivalents, trade and other accounts receivable, accounts payable and other financial instruments, approximates such instruments’ carrying value due to their short-term nature.

Pension_Plans

Pension Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension Plans	'
	Note 10: Pension Plans
	Snap-on’s net periodic pension cost included the following components:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	4.5		$	5.2		$	13.5		$	15.4
	Interest cost		14.4			12.9			43.1			38.7
	Expected return on plan assets		(18.2	)		(17.7	)		(54.5	)		(53.0	)
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		5.8			10.4			17.2			31.1
	Amortization of prior service credit		(0.2	)		(0.2	)		(0.6	)		(0.6	)
	Net periodic pension cost	$	6.3		$	10.6		$	18.7		$	31.6
	Snap-on intends to make contributions of $8.8 million to its foreign pension plans and $1.8 million to its domestic pension plans in 2014, as required by law. In the first nine months of 2014, Snap-on made $20.9 million of cash contributions to its domestic pension plans that included (i) $20.0 million of discretionary contributions; and (ii) $0.9 million of required contributions. Depending on market and other conditions, Snap-on may elect to make additional discretionary cash contributions to its pension plans in the remainder of 2014.

Postretirement_Health_Care_Pla

Postretirement Health Care Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Postretirement Health Care Plans	'
	Note 11: Postretirement Health Care Plans
	Snap-on’s net periodic postretirement health care cost included the following components:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	0.1		$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1
	Interest cost		0.6			0.5			1.9			1.6
	Expected return on plan assets		(0.3	)		(0.2	)		(0.9	)		(0.8	)
	Net periodic postretirement health care cost	$	0.4		$	0.3		$	1.1		$	0.9

Stockbased_Compensation_and_Ot

Stock-based Compensation and Other Stock Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation and Other Stock Plans	'
	Note 12: Stock-based Compensation and Other Stock Plans
	The 2011 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan (the “2011 Plan”) provides for the grant of stock options, performance awards, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and restricted stock awards (which may be designated as “restricted stock units” or “RSUs”). No further grants are being made under its predecessor, the 2001 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan (the “2001 Plan”), although outstanding awards under the 2001 Plan will continue until exercised, forfeited or expired. As of September 27, 2014, the 2011 Plan had 1,873,245 shares available for future grants. The company uses treasury stock to deliver shares under both the 2001 and 2011 Plans.
	Net stock-based compensation expense was $8.6 million and $27.3 million for the respective three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and $9.4 million and $28.9 million for the respective three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013. Cash received from option exercises during the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, totaled $1.8 million and $30.8 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises during the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, totaled $1.8 million and $27.9 million, respectively. The tax benefit realized from both the exercise and vesting of share-based payment arrangements was $0.8 million and $16.2 million for the respective three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and $0.7 million and $11.2 million for the respective three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013.
	Stock Options
	Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of a share of Snap-on’s common stock on the date of grant and have a contractual term of ten years. Stock option grants vest ratably on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.
	The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors for different participating groups to estimate the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the company’s stock for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The expected dividend yield is based on the company’s historical dividend payments. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve on the grant date for the expected term of the option.
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of stock options granted during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, and the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, using the Black-Scholes valuation model; no stock options were granted during the three month period ended September 27, 2014:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Expected term of option (in years)			N/A			3.67			4.52			4.29
	Expected volatility factor			N/A			26.39	%		26.76	%		33.79	%
	Expected dividend yield			N/A			2.68	%		2.4	%		2.67	%
	Risk-free interest rate			N/A			0.64	%		1.3	%		0.79	%
	A summary of stock option activity as of and for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, is presented below:
			Shares			Exercise			Remaining			Aggregate
			(in thousands)			Price Per			Contractual			Intrinsic
						Share*			Term*			Value
									(in years)			(in millions)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			2,429		$	58.35
	Granted			644			109.44
	Exercised			(357	)		52.34
	Forfeited or expired			(35	)		89.85
	Outstanding at September 27, 2014			2,681			71.01			7.1		$	136
	Exercisable at September 27, 2014			1,445			53.55			5.7			98.6
	*	Weighted-average
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, was $20.19 and $17.36, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercised was $2.3 million and $21.7 million during the respective three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and $1.7 million and $12.7 million during the respective three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013. The fair value of vested stock options was $9.5 million and $7.9 million during the respective nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013.
	As of September 27, 2014, there was $16.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options that is expected to be recognized as a charge to earnings over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
	Performance Awards
	Performance awards, which are granted as performance share units and performance-based RSUs, are earned and expensed using the fair value of the award over a contractual term of three years based on the company’s performance. Vesting of the performance awards is dependent upon performance relative to pre-defined goals for revenue growth and return on net assets for the applicable performance period. For performance achieved above a certain level, the recipient may earn additional shares of stock, not to exceed 100% of the number of performance awards initially granted.
	The performance share units have a three-year performance period based on the results of the consolidated financial metrics of the company. The performance-based RSUs have a one-year performance period based on the results of the consolidated financial metrics of the company followed by a two-year cliff vesting schedule, assuming continued employment.
	The fair value of performance awards is calculated using the market value of a share of Snap-on’s common stock on the date of grant. The weighted-average grant date fair value of performance awards granted during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, was $101.08 and $77.31, respectively. Performance share units of 146,313 shares and 213,459 shares were paid out during the respective nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013. Earned performance share units are generally paid out following the conclusion of the applicable performance period upon approval by the Organization and Executive Compensation Committee of the company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
	Based on the company’s 2013 performance, 84,413 RSUs granted in 2013 were earned; assuming continued employment, these RSUs will vest at the end of fiscal 2015. Based on the company’s 2012 performance, 95,047 RSUs granted in 2012 were earned; assuming continued employment, these RSUs will vest at the end of fiscal 2014. Based on the company’s 2011 performance, 159,970 RSUs granted in 2011 were earned; these RSUs vested as of fiscal 2013 year end and were paid out in the first quarter of 2014. As a result of employee retirements, a total of 1,563 of the RSUs earned in 2013 and 2012 vested pursuant to the terms of the related award agreements and the underlying shares will be paid out in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	The changes to the company’s non-vested performance awards during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, are as follows:
			Shares			Fair Value Price
			(in thousands)			per Share (*)
	Non-vested performance awards at December 28, 2013			381		$	68.13
	Granted			176			101.08
	Vested			(2	)		66.12
	Cancellations and other			(6	)		78.76
	Non-vested performance awards at September 27, 2014			549			78.58
	*	Weighted-average
	As of September 27, 2014, there was $18.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested performance awards that is expected to be recognized as a charge to earnings over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
	Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”)
	The company also issues cash-settled and stock-settled SARs to certain key non-U.S. employees. SARs have a contractual term of ten years and vest ratably on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. SARs are granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of a share of Snap-on’s common stock on the date of grant.
	Cash-settled SARs provide for the cash payment of the excess of the fair market value of Snap-on’s common stock price on the date of exercise over the grant price. Cash-settled SARs have no effect on dilutive shares or shares outstanding as any appreciation of Snap-on’s common stock value over the grant price is paid in cash and not in common stock.
	Stock-settled SARs are accounted for as equity instruments and provide for the issuance of Snap-on common stock equal to the amount by which the company’s stock has appreciated over the exercise price. Stock-settled SARs have an effect on dilutive shares and shares outstanding as any appreciation of Snap-on’s common stock value over the exercise price will be settled in shares of common stock.
	The fair value of cash-settled SARs is revalued (mark-to-market) each reporting period using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on Snap-on’s period-end stock price. The fair value of stock-settled SARs is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The company uses historical data regarding SARs exercise behaviors for different participating groups to estimate the expected term of the SARs granted based on the period of time that similar instruments granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the company’s stock for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the SARs. The expected dividend yield is based on the company’s historical dividend payments. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect as of the reporting date (for cash-settled SARs) or grant date (for stock-settled SARs) for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the SARs.
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of cash-settled SARs granted during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, using the Black-Scholes valuation model; no cash-settled SARs were granted during the three month periods ended September 27, 2014 or September 28, 2013:
			Nine Months Ended
			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013
	Expected term of cash-settled SARs (in years)			3.74			3.55
	Expected volatility factor			23.87	%		26.12	%
	Expected dividend yield			2.19	%		2.68	%
	Risk-free interest rate			1.08	%		0.63	%
	The intrinsic value of cash-settled SARs exercised was $0.7 million and $4.7 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, respectively, and $0.9 million and $3.6 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, respectively. The fair value of cash-settled SARs vested during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, was $4.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively.
	Changes to the company’s non-vested cash-settled SARs during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, are as follows:
			Cash-settled			Fair Value
			SARs			Price per
			(in thousands)			Share*
	Non-vested SARs at December 28, 2013			126		$	43.72
	Granted			4			23.03
Vested			(81	)		58.68
Cancellations			(2	)		—
Non-vested SARs at September 27, 2014			47			54.1
*	Weighted-average
As of September 27, 2014, there was $2.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested cash-settled SARs that is expected to be recognized as a charge to earnings over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of stock-settled SARs granted during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, and the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, using the Black-Scholes valuation model; no stock-settled SARs were granted during the three month period ended September 27, 2014:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Expected term of stock-settled SARs (in years)			N/A			3.67			4.49			4.24
Expected volatility factor			N/A			26.39	%		25.64	%		33.92	%
Expected dividend yield			N/A			2.68	%		2.4	%		2.67	%
Risk-free interest rate			N/A			0.64	%		1.5	%		0.91	%
A summary of stock-settled SARs activity as of and for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, is presented below:
		Stock-settled			Exercise			Remaining			Aggregate
		SARs			Price Per			Contractual			Intrinsic
		(in thousands)			Share*			Term*			Value
								(in years)			(in millions)
Outstanding at December 28, 2013			122		$	79.29
Granted			116			109.98
Exercised			(3	)		79.04
Forfeited or expired			(10	)		79.04
Outstanding at September 27, 2014			225			94.82			8.9		$	6.1
Exercisable at September 27, 2014			30			79.39			8.4			1.3
*	Weighted-average
The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock-settled SARs granted during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, was $19.55 and $17.47, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock-settled SARs exercised was zero and $0.1 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, respectively, and zero for both the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013. The fair value of stock-settled SARs vested during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, was $0.6 million and zero, respectively.
As of September 27, 2014, there was $2.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-settled SARs that is expected to be recognized as a charge to earnings over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
Restricted Stock Awards – Non-employee Directors
The company awarded 10,398 shares of restricted stock and 13,437 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of the restricted stock awards is expensed over the one year vesting period based on the fair value on the date of grant. All restrictions on the restricted stock generally lapse upon the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date, the recipient’s death or disability or in the event of a change in control, as defined in the 2011 Plan. If termination of the recipient’s service occurs prior to the first anniversary of the grant date for any reason other than death or disability, the shares of restricted stock would be forfeited, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Substantially all Snap-on employees in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate in an employee stock purchase plan. The purchase price of the company’s common stock to participants is the lesser of the mean of the high and low price of the stock on the beginning date (May 15) or ending date (the following May 14) of each plan year. For the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, issuances under this plan totaled 56,582 shares and 93,442 shares, respectively. As of September 27, 2014, shares reserved for issuance under this plan totaled 865,043 shares and Snap-on held participant contributions of approximately $1.3 million. Participants are able to withdraw from the plan at any time prior to the ending date and receive back all contributions made during the plan year. Compensation expense for plan participants was $0.1 million and $1.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, respectively, and $0.1 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, respectively.
Franchisee Stock Purchase Plan
All franchisees in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate in a franchisee stock purchase plan. The purchase price of the company’s common stock to participants is the lesser of the mean of the high and low price of the stock on the beginning date (May 15) or ending date (the following May 14) of each plan year. For the nine months ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, issuances under this plan totaled 74,502 shares and 105,406 shares, respectively. As of September 27, 2014, shares reserved for issuance under this plan totaled 230,337 shares and Snap-on held participant contributions of approximately $1.8 million. Participants are able to withdraw from the plan at any time prior to the ending date and receive back all contributions made during the plan year. Expense for plan participants was $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, respectively, and $0.2 million and $2.7 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note 13: Earnings Per Share
	The shares used in the computation of the company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 27,		September 28,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		58,110,855		58,163,261		58,148,345		58,221,047
	Effect of dilutive securities		902,197		837,840		881,249		848,938
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution		59,013,052		59,001,101		59,029,594		59,069,985
	The dilutive effect of the potential exercise of outstanding options and stock-settled SARs to purchase common shares is calculated using the treasury stock method. As of both September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, there were no outstanding options or stock-settled SARs that were anti-dilutive. Performance-based equity awards do not affect the diluted earnings per share calculation until it is determined that the applicable performance metrics have been met.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 14: Commitments and Contingencies
	Snap-on provides product warranties for specific product lines and accrues for estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded. Snap-on calculates its accrual requirements based on historic warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience, including the timing of claims during the warranty period and actual costs incurred.
	Snap-on’s product warranty accrual activity for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Warranty reserve:
	Beginning of period	$	17.7		$	17.9		$	17		$	18.9
	Additions		3.5			3.5			10.4			8.3
	Usage		(3.6	)		(2.4	)		(9.8	)		(8.2	)
	End of period	$	17.6		$	19		$	17.6		$	19
	Snap-on has credit risk exposure for certain SOC-originated contracts with recourse provisions related to franchisee van leases sold by SOC; as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, $2.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of franchisee leases contain a recourse provision to Snap-on if the leases become more than 90 days past due. The asset value of the collateral underlying these recourse leases would serve to mitigate Snap-on’s loss in the event of default. The estimated fair value of the guarantees for all lease originations with recourse as of September 27, 2014, was not material.
	Snap-on is involved in various legal matters that are being litigated and/or settled in the ordinary course of business. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these legal matters, management believes that the results of these legal matters will not have a material impact on Snap-on’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other_Income_Expense_Net

Other Income (Expense) - Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income (Expense) - Net	'
	Note 15: Other Income (Expense) – Net
	“Other income (expense) – net” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings consists of the following:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest income	$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.3		$	0.3
	Net foreign exchange loss		(1.0	)		(0.9	)		(1.1	)		(3.4	)
	Other		—			—			0.1			—
	Total other income (expense) – net	$	(0.9	)	$	(0.8	)	$	(0.7	)	$	(3.1	)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Note 16: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the three month period ended September 27, 2014:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of June 28, 2014		$	122.6		$	1.1		$	(160.2	)	$	(36.5	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(64.8	)		—			—			(64.8	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.1	)		3.5			3.4
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(64.8	)		(0.1	)		3.5			(61.4	)
	Balance as of September 27, 2014		$	57.8		$	1		$	(156.7	)	$	(97.9	)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of December 28, 2013		$	121.1		$	1.3		$	(167.2	)	$	(44.8	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(63.3	)		—			—			(63.3	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.3	)		10.5			10.2
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(63.3	)		(0.3	)		10.5			(53.1	)
	Balance as of September 27, 2014		$	57.8		$	1		$	(156.7	)	$	(97.9	)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the three month period ended September 28, 2013:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of June 29, 2013		$	85.5		$	1.5		$	(242.9	)	$	(155.9	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			39.3			—			—			39.3
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.1	)		5.6			5.5
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			39.3			(0.1	)		5.6			44.8
	Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	124.8		$	1.4		$	(237.3	)	$	(111.1	)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the nine month period ended September 28, 2013:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of December 29, 2012		$	129.7		$	1.7		$	(255.6	)	$	(124.2	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(4.9	)		—			—			(4.9	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.3	)		18.3			18
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(4.9	)		(0.3	)		18.3			13.1
	Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	124.8		$	1.4		$	(237.3	)	$	(111.1	)
	The reclassifications out of Accumulated OCI for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, are as follows:
	Details about Accumulated		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI												Statement of Earnings
	OCI Components														Presentation
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gains on cash flow hedges:
	Treasury locks		$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.3		$	0.3		Interest expense
	Income tax expense			—			—			—			—		Income tax expense
	Net of tax			0.1			0.1			0.3			0.3
	Amortization of net unrecognized losses and prior service credits included in net periodic pension cost			(5.6	)		(10.2	)		(16.6	)		(30.5	)	See footnote*
	Income tax benefit			2.1			4.6			6.1			12.2		Income tax expense
	Net of tax			(3.5	)		(5.6	)		(10.5	)		(18.3	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(3.4	)	$	(5.5	)	$	(10.2	)	$	(18.0	)
	*	These Accumulated OCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 10 for further information.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segments	'
	Note 17: Segments
	Snap-on’s business segments are based on the organization structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. Snap-on’s reportable business segments are: (i) the Commercial & Industrial Group; (ii) the Snap-on Tools Group; (iii) the Repair Systems & Information Group; and (iv) Financial Services. The Commercial & Industrial Group consists of business operations serving a broad range of industrial and commercial customers worldwide, primarily through direct and distributor channels. The Snap-on Tools Group consists of business operations primarily serving vehicle service and repair technicians through the company’s worldwide mobile tool distribution channel. The Repair Systems & Information Group consists of business operations serving other professional vehicle repair customers worldwide, primarily owners and managers of independent repair shops and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) dealership service and repair shops (“OEM dealerships”), through direct and distributor channels. Financial Services consists of the business operations of Snap-on’s finance subsidiaries.
	Snap-on evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on segment revenues, including both external and intersegment net sales, and segment operating earnings. Snap-on accounts for intersegment sales and transfers based primarily on standard costs with reasonable mark-ups established between the segments. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in the respective reportable segment’s operations. Corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents (excluding cash held at Financial Services), deferred income taxes and certain other assets. All significant intersegment amounts are eliminated to arrive at Snap-on’s consolidated financial results.
	Financial data by segment was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	298.8		$	275.2		$	876.6		$	807.8
	Snap-on Tools Group		355			333.8			1,067.70			1,007.30
	Repair Systems & Information Group		271.2			252.7			812.4			745
	Segment net sales		925			861.7			2,756.70			2,560.10
	Intersegment eliminations		(118.7	)		(108.5	)		(336.4	)		(301.1	)
	Total net sales	$	806.3		$	753.2		$	2,420.30		$	2,259.00
	Financial Services revenue		53.6			45.1			155.5			133.6
	Total revenues	$	859.9		$	798.3		$	2,575.80		$	2,392.60
	Operating earnings:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	40.8		$	36		$	118.1		$	100.2
	Snap-on Tools Group		49.5			41.9			159.2			143.6
	Repair Systems & Information Group		63.3			57.9			186			171.1
	Financial Services		37.7			31.6			106.9			92.7
	Segment operating earnings		191.3			167.4			570.2			507.6
	Corporate		(23.0	)		(24.5	)		(72.9	)		(78.0	)
	Operating earnings	$	168.3		$	142.9		$	497.3		$	429.6
	Interest expense		(12.7	)		(14.4	)		(39.1	)		(41.8	)
	Other income (expense) – net		(0.9	)		(0.8	)		(0.7	)		(3.1	)
	Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings	$	154.7		$	127.7		$	457.5		$	384.7
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Assets:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	989.9		$	971
	Snap-on Tools Group		616.9			557.3
	Repair Systems & Information Group		1,030.10			979.6
	Financial Services		1,348.50			1,224.00
	Total assets from reportable segments	$	3,985.40		$	3,731.90
	Corporate		330.2			431.8
	Elimination of intersegment receivables		(47.1	)		(53.7	)
	Total assets	$	4,268.50		$	4,110.00

Summary_of_Accounting_Policies1

Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of consolidation and presentation	'
	Principles of consolidation and presentation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Snap-on Incorporated and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Snap-on” or “the company”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with, and have been prepared in conformity with, the accounting principles reflected in the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Snap-on’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 (“2013 year end”).
	Snap-on’s 2014 fiscal year, which ends on January 3, 2015, will contain 53 weeks of operating results, with the additional week occurring in the fourth quarter. The company’s 2013 fiscal year contained 52 weeks of operating results. Snap-on’s 2014 fiscal third quarter ended on September 27, 2014; the 2013 fiscal third quarter ended on September 28, 2013.
	Snap-on accounts for investments in unconsolidated affiliates where Snap-on has a greater than 20% but less than 50% ownership interest under the equity method of accounting. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $13.7 million as of September 27, 2014, and $14.2 million as of December 28, 2013, are included in “Other assets” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the normal course of business, the company may purchase products or services from unconsolidated affiliates; purchases from unconsolidated affiliates were $3.5 million in both the third quarters of 2014 and 2013, and were $10.9 million and $11.2 million in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include the accounts of the company’s independent franchisees. Snap-on’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, have been made. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	The fair value of the company’s derivative financial instruments is generally determined using quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities. The carrying value of the company’s non-derivative financial instruments either approximates fair value, due to their short-term nature, or the amount disclosed for fair value is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis or quoted market values. See Note 9 for further information on financial instruments.
New Accounting Standards	'
	New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The ASU is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The ASU becomes effective for Snap-on at the beginning of its 2017 fiscal year; early adoption is not permitted. The company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Components of Trade and Other Accounts Receivable	'
	The components of Snap-on’s trade and other accounts receivable as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Trade and other accounts receivable	$	590		$	546.5
	Allowances for doubtful accounts		(15.6	)		(14.9	)
	Total trade and other accounts receivable – net	$	574.4		$	531.6
Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables	'
	The components of Snap-on’s current finance and contract receivables as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $16.1 million and $14.1 million, respectively	$	419.1		$	385.3
	Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $14.0 million and $13.0 million, respectively		77.5			69.6
	Total		496.6			454.9
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Finance receivables		(11.8	)		(10.7	)
	Contract receivables		(1.3	)		(1.2	)
	Total		(13.1	)		(11.9	)
	Total current finance and contract receivables – net	$	483.5		$	443
	Finance receivables – net	$	407.3		$	374.6
	Contract receivables – net		76.2			68.4
	Total current finance and contract receivables – net	$	483.5		$	443
Components of Finance and Contract Receivables Beyond One Year	'
	The components of Snap-on’s finance and contract receivables with payment terms beyond one year as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $10.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively	$	648.6		$	577.7
	Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $18.5 million and $17.3 million, respectively		240.3			219.2
	Total		888.9			796.9
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Finance receivables		(19.5	)		(17.1	)
	Contract receivables		(2.6	)		(2.1	)
	Total		(22.1	)		(19.2	)
	Total long-term finance and contract receivables – net	$	866.8		$	777.7
	Finance receivables – net	$	629.1		$	560.6
	Contract receivables – net		237.7			217.1
	Total long-term finance and contract receivables – net	$	866.8		$	777.7
Aging of Finance and Contract Receivables	'
	The aging of finance and contract receivables as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
	(Amounts in millions)	30-59			60-90			Greater			Total Past			Total Not		Total		Greater
		Days Past			Days Past			Than 90			Due			Past Due				Than 90
		Due			Due			Days Past										Days Past
								Due										Due and
																		Accruing
	September 27, 2014:
	Finance receivables	$	9.6		$	5.9		$	9.9		$	25.4		$	1,042.30	$	1,067.70	$	7.2
	Contract receivables		1.3			0.5			0.6			2.4			315.4		317.8		0.2
	December 28, 2013
	Finance receivables	$	9.3		$	5.7		$	9.6		$	24.6		$	938.4	$	963	$	7
	Contract receivables		1.2			0.8			0.7			2.7			286.1		288.8		0.1
Schedule of Performing and Nonperforming Finance and Contract Receivables	'
	The amount of performing and nonperforming finance and contract receivables based on payment activity as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
		September 27, 2014						December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Finance			Contract			Finance			Contract
		Receivables			Receivables			Receivables			Receivables
	Performing	$	1,052.20		$	316.5		$	947.8		$	287.8
	Nonperforming		15.5			1.3			15.2			1
	Total	$	1,067.70		$	317.8		$	963		$	288.8
Schedule of Finance and Contract Receivables on Nonaccrual Status	'
	The amount of finance and contract receivables on nonaccrual status as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finance receivables	$	8.5		$	8.3
	Contract receivables		1.3			1
Rollforward of Allowances for Credit Losses for Finance and Contract Receivables	'
	The following is a rollforward of the allowances for credit losses for finance and contract receivables for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 27, 2014						September 27, 2014
	(Amounts in millions)	Finance			Contract			Finance			Contract
		Receivables			Receivables			Receivables			Receivables
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Beginning of period	$	30.4		$	3.8		$	27.8		$	3.3
	Provision for bad debt expense		6.4			0.5			19.8			1.8
	Charge-offs		(6.6	)		(0.5	)		(20.1	)		(1.5	)
	Recoveries		1.2			0.1			3.8			0.3
	Currency translation		(0.1	)		—			—			—
	End of period	$	31.3		$	3.9		$	31.3		$	3.9
	The following is a rollforward of the allowances for credit losses for finance and contract receivables for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013						September 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Finance			Contract			Finance			Contract
		Receivables			Receivables			Receivables			Receivables
	Allowances for doubtful accounts:
	Beginning of period	$	26.6		$	3.5		$	26.5		$	3.2
	Provision for bad debt expense		5.5			0.2			15			1.7
	Charge-offs		(5.5	)		(0.4	)		(17.1	)		(1.6	)
	Recoveries		1.1			0.1			3.4			0.2
	Currency translation		—			—			(0.1	)		(0.1	)
	End of period	$	27.7		$	3.4		$	27.7		$	3.4

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories by Major Classification	'
	Inventories by major classification are as follows:
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Finished goods	$	420.6		$	374.7
	Work in progress		47.5			45
	Raw materials		89.1			87.3
	Total FIFO value		557.2			507
	Excess of current cost over LIFO cost		(72.6	)		(72.6	)
	Total inventories – net	$	484.6		$	434.4

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, are as follows:
	(Amounts in millions)	Commercial			Snap-on			Repair Systems			Total
		& Industrial			Tools Group			& Information
		Group						Group
	Balance as of December 28, 2013	$	312.5		$	12.5		$	513.8		$	838.8
	Currency translation		(21.4	)		—			(2.1	)		(23.5	)
	Acquisition		—			—			13.2			13.2
	Balance as of September 27, 2014	$	291.1		$	12.5		$	524.9		$	828.5
Other Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	Additional disclosures related to other intangible assets are as follows:
		September 27, 2014						December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Value			Amortization			Value			Amortization
	Amortized other intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	148.2		$	(69.6	)	$	140.8		$	(62.8	)
	Developed technology		19.5			(19.5	)		19.5			(19.2	)
	Internally developed software		138.2			(88.7	)		125.3			(80.2	)
	Patents		29.3			(20.7	)		28.8			(20.4	)
	Trademarks		2.7			(1.6	)		2.8			(1.6	)
	Other		7.6			(1.6	)		7.3			(1.4	)
	Total		345.5			(201.7	)		324.5			(185.6	)
	Non-amortized trademarks		63.3			—			51.6			—
	Total other intangible assets	$	408.8		$	(201.7	)	$	376.1		$	(185.6	)
Weighted-Average Amortization Period by Major Class	'
	The weighted-average amortization periods related to other intangible assets are as follows:
		In Years
	Customer relationships		15
	Developed technology		5
	Internally developed software		3
	Patents		10
	Trademarks		6
	Other		39

Exit_and_Disposal_Activities_T

Exit and Disposal Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Recorded Costs Associated with Exit and Disposal Activities	'
	Snap-on recorded costs associated with exit and disposal activities for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 27,		September 28,		September 27,		September 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Exit and disposal costs:
	Cost of goods sold:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	0.5	$	0.3	$	0.5	$	2.5
	Snap-on Tools Group		—		0.1		—		0.2
	Repair Systems & Information Group		1		0.9		4.2		1.7
	Total cost of goods sold		1.5		1.3		4.7		4.4
	Operating expenses:
	Commercial & Industrial Group		0.4		0.3		0.4		0.4
	Snap-on Tools Group		—		0.1		—		0.3
	Repair Systems & Information Group		0.1		—		0.3		1.2
	Total operating expenses		0.5		0.4		0.7		1.9
	Financial Services		—		—		—		0.1
	Total exit and disposal costs:
	Commercial & Industrial Group		0.9		0.6		0.9		2.9
	Snap-on Tools Group		—		0.2		—		0.5
	Repair Systems & Information Group		1.1		0.9		4.5		2.9
	Financial Services		—		—		—		0.1
	Total exit and disposal costs	$	2	$	1.7	$	5.4	$	6.4
Components of Exit and Disposal Accrual Activity	'
	Snap-on’s exit and disposal accrual activity for the first nine months of 2014 is as follows:
		Balance at		Six Months				Balance at		Third Quarter				Balance at
		December 28,						June  28,						September 27,
	(Amounts in millions)	2013		Provision		Usage		2014		Provision		Usage		2014
	Severance costs:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	1.5	$	–	$	(0.5)	$	1.0	$	0.9	$	(0.3)	$	1.6
	Snap-on Tools Group		0.2		–		(0.1)		0.1		–		(0.1)		–
	Repair Systems & Information Group		2.3		3.4		(0.6)		5.1		1.1		(0.9)		5.3
	Total	$	4.0	$	3.4	$	(1.2)	$	6.2	$	2.0	$	(1.3)	$	6.9
	As of September 27, 2014, the company expects that approximately $2.0 million of the $6.9 million exit and disposal accrual will be utilized in the balance of 2014 and the remainder will extend into 2015 primarily for longer-term severance obligations.

Shortterm_and_Longterm_Debt_Ta

Short-term and Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Short-term and Long-term Debt	'
	Short-term and long-term debt as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, consisted of the following:
			September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)		2014			2013
	5.85% unsecured notes due March 2014		$	—		$	100
	5.50% unsecured notes due 2017			150			150
	4.25% unsecured notes due 2018			250			250
	6.70% unsecured notes due 2019			200			200
	6.125% unsecured notes due 2021			250			250
	Other debt*			69.2			22
				919.2			972
	Less: notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt			(58.7	)		(113.1	)
	Total long-term debt		$	860.5		$	858.9
	*	Includes fair value adjustments related to interest rate swaps.

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Included within Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The fair value of derivative instruments included within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013, is as follows:
				September 27, 2014								December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Balance Sheet Presentation		Asset				Liability				Asset				Liability
				Derivatives				Derivatives				Derivatives				Derivatives
				Fair Value				Fair Value				Fair Value				Fair Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps	Other assets		$	10.7			$	—			$	10.1			$	—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forwards	Prepaid expenses and other assets		$	3.8			$	—			$	4.1			$	—
	Foreign currency forwards	Other accrued liabilities			—				15.2				—				5.6
	Equity forwards	Prepaid expenses and other assets			14.5				—				11.5				—
	Total			$	18.3			$	15.2			$	15.6			$	5.6
	Total derivatives instruments			$	29			$	15.2			$	25.7			$	5.6
Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	'
	The effects of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges as included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows:
				Effective Portion of Gain Recognized in Income
		Statement of Earnings		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	Presentation		September 27,				September 28,				September 27,				September 28,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps	Interest expense		$	1			$	1			$	3			$	3
Effect of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated OCI on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	'
	The effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as included in Accumulated OCI on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows:
		Effective Portion of Gain								Statement of		Effective Portion of Gain
		Recognized in								Earnings		Reclassified from Accumulated
		Accumulated OCI								Presentation		OCI into Income
	(Amounts in millions)	Three Months Ended										Three Months Ended
		September 27,				September 28,						September 27,				September 28,
		2014				2013						2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Treasury locks	$	—			$	—			Interest expense		$	0.1			$	0.1
		Effective Portion of Gain								Statement of		Effective Portion of Gain
		Recognized in								Earnings		Reclassified from Accumulated
		Accumulated OCI								Presentation		OCI into Income
	(Amounts in millions)	Nine Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
		September 27,				September 28,						September 27,				September 28,
		2014				2013						2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Treasury locks	$	—			$	—			Interest expense		$	0.3			$	0.3
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedges Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	'
	The effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments as included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows:
		Statement of Earnings		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
		Presentation		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)			September 27,				September 28,				September 27,				September 28,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forwards	Other income (expense) – net		$	(11.5	)		$	8			$	(10.5	)		$	2.1
	Equity forwards	Operating expenses			0.6				1.3				1.9				2.4
Fair Values of Financial Instruments Not Approximating Carrying Values in Financial Statements	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair values of financial instruments that do not approximate the carrying values in the financial statements are as follows:
		September 27, 2014								December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in millions)	Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Value				Value				Value				Value
	Finance receivables – net	$	1,036.40			$	1,194.70			$	935.2			$	1,084.10
	Contract receivables – net		313.9				360.3				285.5				326.7
	Long-term debt, notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt		919.2				1,028.20				972				1,078.90

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Pension Cost	'
	Snap-on’s net periodic pension cost included the following components:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	4.5		$	5.2		$	13.5		$	15.4
	Interest cost		14.4			12.9			43.1			38.7
	Expected return on plan assets		(18.2	)		(17.7	)		(54.5	)		(53.0	)
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		5.8			10.4			17.2			31.1
	Amortization of prior service credit		(0.2	)		(0.2	)		(0.6	)		(0.6	)
	Net periodic pension cost	$	6.3		$	10.6		$	18.7		$	31.6

Postretirement_Health_Care_Pla1

Postretirement Health Care Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Postretirement Health Care Cost	'
	Snap-on’s net periodic postretirement health care cost included the following components:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	0.1		$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1
	Interest cost		0.6			0.5			1.9			1.6
	Expected return on plan assets		(0.3	)		(0.2	)		(0.9	)		(0.8	)
	Net periodic postretirement health care cost	$	0.4		$	0.3		$	1.1		$	0.9

Stockbased_Compensation_and_Ot1

Stock-based Compensation and Other Stock Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions of Fair Value Granted Using Black-Scholes Valuation Model	'
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of stock options granted during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, and the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Expected term of option (in years)			N/A			3.67			4.52			4.29
	Expected volatility factor			N/A			26.39	%		26.76	%		33.79	%
	Expected dividend yield			N/A			2.68	%		2.4	%		2.67	%
	Risk-free interest rate			N/A			0.64	%		1.3	%		0.79	%
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	A summary of stock option activity as of and for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, is presented below:
			Shares			Exercise			Remaining			Aggregate
			(in thousands)			Price Per			Contractual			Intrinsic
						Share*			Term*			Value
									(in years)			(in millions)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			2,429		$	58.35
	Granted			644			109.44
	Exercised			(357	)		52.34
	Forfeited or expired			(35	)		89.85
	Outstanding at September 27, 2014			2,681			71.01			7.1		$	136
	Exercisable at September 27, 2014			1,445			53.55			5.7			98.6
	*	Weighted-average
Nonvested Performance Shares [Member]	'
Summary of Changes in Non-Vested Performance Awards	'
	The changes to the company’s non-vested performance awards during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, are as follows:
			Shares			Fair Value Price
			(in thousands)			per Share (*)
	Non-vested performance awards at December 28, 2013			381		$	68.13
	Granted			176			101.08
	Vested			(2	)		66.12
	Cancellations and other			(6	)		78.76
	Non-vested performance awards at September 27, 2014			549			78.58
	*	Weighted-average
Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'
Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions of Fair Value Granted Using Black-Scholes Valuation Model	'
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of cash-settled SARs granted during the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, using the Black-Scholes valuation model; no cash-settled SARs were granted during the three month periods ended September 27, 2014 or September 28, 2013:
			Nine Months Ended
			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013
	Expected term of cash-settled SARs (in years)			3.74			3.55
	Expected volatility factor			23.87	%		26.12	%
	Expected dividend yield			2.19	%		2.68	%
	Risk-free interest rate			1.08	%		0.63	%
Summary of Changes in SARs	'
	Changes to the company’s non-vested cash-settled SARs during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, are as follows:
			Cash-settled			Fair Value
			SARs			Price per
			(in thousands)			Share*
	Non-vested SARs at December 28, 2013			126		$	43.72
	Granted			4			23.03
	Vested			(81	)		58.68
	Cancellations			(2	)		—
	Non-vested SARs at September 27, 2014			47			54.1
	*	Weighted-average
Stock-Settled SARs [Member]	'
Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions of Fair Value Granted Using Black-Scholes Valuation Model	'
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of stock-settled SARs granted during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, and the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013, using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Expected term of stock-settled SARs (in years)			N/A			3.67			4.49			4.24
	Expected volatility factor			N/A			26.39	%		25.64	%		33.92	%
	Expected dividend yield			N/A			2.68	%		2.4	%		2.67	%
	Risk-free interest rate			N/A			0.64	%		1.5	%		0.91	%
Summary of Changes in SARs	'
	A summary of stock-settled SARs activity as of and for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, is presented below:
			Stock-settled			Exercise			Remaining			Aggregate
			SARs			Price Per			Contractual			Intrinsic
			(in thousands)			Share*			Term*			Value
									(in years)			(in millions)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			122		$	79.29
	Granted			116			109.98
	Exercised			(3	)		79.04
	Forfeited or expired			(10	)		79.04
	Outstanding at September 27, 2014			225			94.82			8.9		$	6.1
	Exercisable at September 27, 2014			30			79.39			8.4			1.3
	*	Weighted-average

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	'
	The shares used in the computation of the company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 27,		September 28,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		58,110,855		58,163,261		58,148,345		58,221,047
	Effect of dilutive securities		902,197		837,840		881,249		848,938
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution		59,013,052		59,001,101		59,029,594		59,069,985

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Product Warranty Accrual Activity	'
	Snap-on’s product warranty accrual activity for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Warranty reserve:
	Beginning of period	$	17.7		$	17.9		$	17		$	18.9
	Additions		3.5			3.5			10.4			8.3
	Usage		(3.6	)		(2.4	)		(9.8	)		(8.2	)
	End of period	$	17.6		$	19		$	17.6		$	19

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Table

Other Income (Expense) - Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Computation of Other Income (Expense) - Net	'
	“Other income (expense) – net” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings consists of the following:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)	September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest income	$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.3		$	0.3
	Net foreign exchange loss		(1.0	)		(0.9	)		(1.1	)		(3.4	)
	Other		—			—			0.1			—
	Total other income (expense) – net	$	(0.9	)	$	(0.8	)	$	(0.7	)	$	(3.1	)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in Accumulated OCI by Component, Net of Tax	'
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the three month period ended September 27, 2014:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of June 28, 2014		$	122.6		$	1.1		$	(160.2	)	$	(36.5	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(64.8	)		—			—			(64.8	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.1	)		3.5			3.4
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(64.8	)		(0.1	)		3.5			(61.4	)
	Balance as of September 27, 2014		$	57.8		$	1		$	(156.7	)	$	(97.9	)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of December 28, 2013		$	121.1		$	1.3		$	(167.2	)	$	(44.8	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(63.3	)		—			—			(63.3	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.3	)		10.5			10.2
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(63.3	)		(0.3	)		10.5			(53.1	)
	Balance as of September 27, 2014		$	57.8		$	1		$	(156.7	)	$	(97.9	)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the three month period ended September 28, 2013:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of June 29, 2013		$	85.5		$	1.5		$	(242.9	)	$	(155.9	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			39.3			—			—			39.3
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.1	)		5.6			5.5
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			39.3			(0.1	)		5.6			44.8
	Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	124.8		$	1.4		$	(237.3	)	$	(111.1	)
	The following is a summary of net changes in Accumulated OCI by component and net of tax for the nine month period ended September 28, 2013:
	(Amounts in millions)		Foreign			Cash Flow			Defined			Total
			Currency			Hedges			Benefit
			Translation						Pension and
									Postretirement
									Plans
	Balance as of December 29, 2012		$	129.7		$	1.7		$	(255.6	)	$	(124.2	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(4.9	)		—			—			(4.9	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI			—			(0.3	)		18.3			18
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(4.9	)		(0.3	)		18.3			13.1
	Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	124.8		$	1.4		$	(237.3	)	$	(111.1	)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated OCI	'
	The reclassifications out of Accumulated OCI for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2014, and September 28, 2013, are as follows:
	Details about Accumulated		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI												Statement of Earnings
	OCI Components														Presentation
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(Amounts in millions)		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gains on cash flow hedges:
	Treasury locks		$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.3		$	0.3		Interest expense
	Income tax expense			—			—			—			—		Income tax expense
	Net of tax			0.1			0.1			0.3			0.3
	Amortization of net unrecognized losses and prior service credits included in net periodic pension cost			(5.6	)		(10.2	)		(16.6	)		(30.5	)	See footnote*
	Income tax benefit			2.1			4.6			6.1			12.2		Income tax expense
	Net of tax			(3.5	)		(5.6	)		(10.5	)		(18.3	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(3.4	)	$	(5.5	)	$	(10.2	)	$	(18.0	)
	*	These Accumulated OCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 10 for further information.

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Net Sales by Segment	'
	Financial data by segment was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 27,			September 28,			September 27,			September 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	298.8		$	275.2		$	876.6		$	807.8
	Snap-on Tools Group		355			333.8			1,067.70			1,007.30
	Repair Systems & Information Group		271.2			252.7			812.4			745
	Segment net sales		925			861.7			2,756.70			2,560.10
	Intersegment eliminations		(118.7	)		(108.5	)		(336.4	)		(301.1	)
	Total net sales	$	806.3		$	753.2		$	2,420.30		$	2,259.00
	Financial Services revenue		53.6			45.1			155.5			133.6
	Total revenues	$	859.9		$	798.3		$	2,575.80		$	2,392.60
	Operating earnings:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	40.8		$	36		$	118.1		$	100.2
	Snap-on Tools Group		49.5			41.9			159.2			143.6
	Repair Systems & Information Group		63.3			57.9			186			171.1
	Financial Services		37.7			31.6			106.9			92.7
	Segment operating earnings		191.3			167.4			570.2			507.6
	Corporate		(23.0	)		(24.5	)		(72.9	)		(78.0	)
	Operating earnings	$	168.3		$	142.9		$	497.3		$	429.6
	Interest expense		(12.7	)		(14.4	)		(39.1	)		(41.8	)
	Other income (expense) – net		(0.9	)		(0.8	)		(0.7	)		(3.1	)
	Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings	$	154.7		$	127.7		$	457.5		$	384.7
Assets by Segment	'
		September 27,			December 28,
	(Amounts in millions)	2014			2013
	Assets:
	Commercial & Industrial Group	$	989.9		$	971
	Snap-on Tools Group		616.9			557.3
	Repair Systems & Information Group		1,030.10			979.6
	Financial Services		1,348.50			1,224.00
	Total assets from reportable segments	$	3,985.40		$	3,731.90
	Corporate		330.2			431.8
	Elimination of intersegment receivables		(47.1	)		(53.7	)
	Total assets	$	4,268.50		$	4,110.00

Summary_of_Accounting_Policies2

Summary of Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Summary Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$13.70	'	$13.70	'	$14.20
Purchases from unconsolidated affiliates	$3.50	$3.50	$10.90	$11.20	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership interest under equity method accounting	20.00%	'	20.00%	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership interest under equity method accounting	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	13-May-13	28-May-14
			Challenger Lifts Inc [Member]	Pro-Cut International, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash purchase price of acquisition	$41.30	$38.20	$38.20	$41.30
Sales of acquired entity	'	'	'	$24

Receivables_Additional_Informa

Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Minimum payment term for trade and other accounts receivable (in days)	'30 days	'
Maximum payment term for trade and other accounts receivable (in days)	'120 days	'
Average payment term for finance receivables (in years)	'3 years	'
Maximum payment term for contract receivables (in years)	'10 years	'
Minimum period past due to consider receivable balances as delinquent (days)	'30 days	'
Minimum period past due to consider non-accrual finance receivables nonperforming (days)	'90 days	'
Minimum period past due to declare receivable as non-accrual status (days)	'90 days	'
Impaired finance receivables	$15.50	$15.20
Impaired contract receivables	$1.30	$1

Receivables_Components_of_Trad

Receivables - Components of Trade and Other Accounts Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Trade and other accounts receivable	$590	$546.50
Allowances for doubtful accounts	-15.6	-14.9
Total trade and other accounts receivable - net	$574.40	$531.60

Receivables_Components_of_Curr

Receivables - Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $16.1 million and $14.1 million, respectively	$419.10	$385.30
Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $14.0 million and $13.0 million, respectively	77.5	69.6
Total	496.6	454.9
Allowances for doubtful accounts, finance receivables	-11.8	-10.7
Allowances for doubtful accounts, contract receivables	-1.3	-1.2
Total	-13.1	-11.9
Total current finance and contract receivables - net	483.5	443
Finance receivables - net	407.3	374.6
Contract receivables - net	76.2	68.4
Total current finance and contract receivables - net	$483.50	$443

Receivables_Components_of_Curr1

Receivables - Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$16.10	$14.10
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$14	$13

Receivables_Components_of_Fina

Receivables - Components of Finance and Contract Receivables Beyond One Year (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $10.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively	$648.60	$577.70
Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $18.5 million and $17.3 million, respectively	240.3	219.2
Total	888.9	796.9
Allowances for doubtful accounts, finance receivables	-19.5	-17.1
Allowances for doubtful accounts, contract receivables	-2.6	-2.1
Total	-22.1	-19.2
Total long-term finance and contract receivables - net	866.8	777.7
Finance receivables - net	629.1	560.6
Contract receivables - net	237.7	217.1
Total long-term finance and contract receivables - net	$866.80	$777.70

Receivables_Components_of_Fina1

Receivables - Components of Finance and Contract Receivables Beyond One Year (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$10	$8.90
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$18.50	$17.30

Receivables_Aging_of_Finance_a

Receivables - Aging of Finance and Contract Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Finance receivables, 30-59 Days Past Due	$9.60	$9.30
Finance receivables, 60-90 Days Past Due	5.9	5.7
Finance receivables, Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	9.9	9.6
Finance receivables, Total Past Due	25.4	24.6
Finance receivables, Total Not Past Due	1,042.30	938.4
Finance receivables, Total	1,067.70	963
Finance receivables, Greater Than 90 Days Past Due and Accruing	7.2	7
Contract receivables, 30-59 Days Past Due	1.3	1.2
Contract receivables, 60-90 Days Past Due	0.5	0.8
Contract receivables, Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	0.6	0.7
Contract receivables, Total Past Due	2.4	2.7
Contract receivables, Total Not Past Due	315.4	286.1
Contract receivables, Total	317.8	288.8
Contract receivables, Greater Than 90 Days Past Due and Accruing	$0.20	$0.10

Receivables_Schedule_of_Perfor

Receivables - Schedule of Performing and Nonperforming Finance and Contract Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Finance Receivables	$1,067.70	$963
Contract Receivables	317.8	288.8
Performing [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Finance Receivables	1,052.20	947.8
Contract Receivables	316.5	287.8
Nonperforming [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Finance Receivables	15.5	15.2
Contract Receivables	$1.30	$1

Receivables_Schedule_of_Financ

Receivables - Schedule of Finance and Contract Receivables on Nonaccrual Status (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Finance receivables	$8.50	$8.30
Contract receivables	$1.30	$1

Receivables_Rollforward_of_All

Receivables - Rollforward of Allowances for Credit Losses for Finance and Contract Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Finance receivables, Allowance for doubtful accounts, Beginning of period	$30.40	$26.60	$27.80	$26.50
Finance receivables, Provision for bad debt expense	6.4	5.5	19.8	15
Finance receivables, Charge-offs	-6.6	-5.5	-20.1	-17.1
Finance receivables, Recoveries	1.2	1.1	3.8	3.4
Finance receivables, Currency translation	-0.1	'	'	-0.1
Finance receivables, Allowance for doubtful accounts, End of period	31.3	27.7	31.3	27.7
Contract receivables, Allowance for doubtful accounts, Beginning of period	3.8	3.5	3.3	3.2
Contract receivables, Provision for bad debt expense	0.5	0.2	1.8	1.7
Contract receivables, Charge-offs	-0.5	-0.4	-1.5	-1.6
Contract receivables, Recoveries	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.2
Contract receivables, Currency translation	'	'	'	-0.1
Contract receivables, Allowance for doubtful accounts, End of period	$3.90	$3.40	$3.90	$3.40

Inventories_Inventories_by_Maj

Inventories - Inventories by Major Classification (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished goods	$420.60	$374.70
Work in progress	47.5	45
Raw materials	89.1	87.3
Total FIFO value	557.2	507
Excess of current cost over LIFO cost	-72.6	-72.6
Total inventories - net	$484.60	$434.40

Inventories_Additional_Informa

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014
					Foreign and US Countries [Member]	Foreign and US Countries [Member]	United States [Member]
Geographic Valuation Methodologies Of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of FIFO Inventory	'	'	'	'	57.00%	60.00%	29.00%
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	71.00%
Effect of LIFO inventory liquidation on income	$0	$0	$0	$0	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	$838.80
Currency translation	-23.5
Acquisition	13.2
Ending Balance	828.5
Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	312.5
Currency translation	-21.4
Acquisition	'
Ending Balance	291.1
Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	12.5
Currency translation	'
Acquisition	'
Ending Balance	12.5
Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	513.8
Currency translation	-2.1
Acquisition	13.2
Ending Balance	$524.90

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$828.50	'	$828.50	'	$838.80
Preliminary purchase accounting related to acquisition	'	'	13.2	'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	0	'	0	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'12 years	'	'
Aggregate amortization expense	6.1	6.6	18.4	19.4	'
Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal period 2014	24.3	'	24.3	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal period 2015	20.1	'	20.1	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal period 2016	15.4	'	15.4	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal period 2017	12	'	12	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal period 2018	9.6	'	9.6	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal period 2019	9.2	'	9.2	'	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Customer relationship value	'	'	7.4	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'15 years	'	'
Customer relationship contractual term, minimum (in years)	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Customer relationship contractual term, maximum (in years)	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Trademarks [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Non-amortized trademark	'	'	$13.80	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'6 years	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets by Major Class (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	$345.50	$324.50
Non-amortized trademarks	63.3	51.6
Total other intangible assets	408.8	376.1
Accumulated Amortization, Total	-201.7	-185.6
Total other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	-201.7	-185.6
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	148.2	140.8
Accumulated Amortization, Total	-69.6	-62.8
Developed technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	19.5	19.5
Accumulated Amortization, Total	-19.5	-19.2
Internally developed software [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	138.2	125.3
Accumulated Amortization, Total	-88.7	-80.2
Patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	29.3	28.8
Accumulated Amortization, Total	-20.7	-20.4
Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	2.7	2.8
Accumulated Amortization, Total	-1.6	-1.6
Other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value, Total	7.6	7.3
Accumulated Amortization, Total	($1.60)	($1.40)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Weighted-Average Amortization Period by Major Class (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'12 years
Customer relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'15 years
Developed technology [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'5 years
Internally developed software [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'3 years
Patents [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'10 years
Trademarks [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'6 years
Other [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average Amortization (in years)	'39 years

Exit_and_Disposal_Activities_R

Exit and Disposal Activities - Recorded Costs Associated with Exit and Disposal Activities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	$2	$1.70	$5.40	$6.40
Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	0.9	0.6	0.9	2.9
Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	'	0.2	'	0.5
Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	1.1	0.9	4.5	2.9
Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	'	'	'	0.1
Cost of Goods Sold [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	1.5	1.3	4.7	4.4
Cost of Goods Sold [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	0.5	0.3	0.5	2.5
Cost of Goods Sold [Member] | Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	'	0.1	'	0.2
Cost of Goods Sold [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	1	0.9	4.2	1.7
Operating Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	0.5	0.4	0.7	1.9
Operating Expenses [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	0.4	0.3	0.4	0.4
Operating Expenses [Member] | Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	'	0.1	'	0.3
Operating Expenses [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	0.1	'	0.3	1.2
Operating Expenses [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exit and disposal costs	'	'	'	$0.10

Exit_and_Disposal_Activities_A

Exit and Disposal Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs incurred	$2	$1.70	'	$5.40	$6.40	'
Expected exit and disposal accrual to be utilized in the current year	2	'	3.4	'	'	'
Exit and disposal cost accrual	$6.90	'	$6.20	$6.90	'	$4

Exit_and_Disposal_Activities_C

Exit and Disposal Activities - Components of Exit and Disposal Accrual Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$6.20	$4
Provision	2	3.4
Usage	-1.3	-1.2
Ending Balance	6.9	6.2
Severance Costs [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	1	1.5
Provision	0.9	'
Usage	-0.3	-0.5
Ending Balance	1.6	1
Severance Costs [Member] | Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	0.1	0.2
Usage	-0.1	-0.1
Ending Balance	'	0.1
Severance Costs [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	5.1	2.3
Provision	1.1	3.4
Usage	-0.9	-0.6
Ending Balance	$5.30	$5.10

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'
Effective income tax rate	32.10%	32.30%
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	0	'
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits	0	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	1.2	'
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits	0.7	'

Shortterm_and_Longterm_Debt_Sh

Short-term and Long-term Debt - Short-term and Long-term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Other debt	$69.20	$22
Long-term debt including current maturities	919.2	972
Less: notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	-58.7	-113.1
Total long-term debt	860.5	858.9
Long-term debt including current maturities	919.2	972
5.85% Unsecured Notes Due March 2014 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes	'	100
5.50% Unsecured Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes	150	150
4.25% Unsecured Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes	250	250
6.70% Unsecured Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes	200	200
6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes	$250	$250

Shortterm_and_Longterm_Debt_Sh1

Short-term and Long-term Debt - Short-term and Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
5.85% Unsecured Notes Due March 2014 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes, interest rate	'	5.85%
Unsecured notes, maturity Month and year	'2014-03	'2014-03
5.50% Unsecured Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes, interest rate	5.50%	5.50%
Unsecured notes, maturity year	'2017	'2017
4.25% Unsecured Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes, interest rate	4.25%	4.25%
Unsecured notes, maturity year	'2018	'2018
6.70% Unsecured Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes, interest rate	6.70%	6.70%
Unsecured notes, maturity year	'2019	'2019
6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Unsecured notes, interest rate	6.13%	6.13%
Unsecured notes, maturity year	'2021	'2021

Shortterm_and_Longterm_Debt_Ad

Short-term and Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Five-year Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Five-year Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	5.85% Unsecured Notes Due March 2014 [Member]
				Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$58.70	$113.10	'	'	'
Commercial paper borrowings	36.7	'	'	'	'
Unsecured notes	'	'	'	'	100
Unsecured notes, maturity date	'	'	'	'	1-Mar-14
Unsecured notes, interest rate	'	'	'	'	5.85%
Other notes payable	22	13.1	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, amount available	'	'	700	'	'
Revolving credit facility, outstanding amount	'	'	$0	'	'
Debt maturity term	'	'	'Five-year	'	'
Revolving credit facility, termination date	'	'	27-Sep-18	'	'
Debt instrument, restrictive covenants	'	'	'(i) a ratio not greater than 0.60 to 1.00 of consolidated net debt (consolidated debt net of certain cash adjustments) to the sum of such consolidated net debt plus total equity and less accumulated other comprehensive income or loss; or (ii) a ratio not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 of such consolidated net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other adjustments for the preceding four fiscal quarters then ended. As of September 27, 2014, the companybs actual ratios of 0.0 and 0.0, respectively, were both within the permitted ranges set forth in this financial covenant.	'	'
Maximum limit of required debt-to-capital ratio	'	'	'	0.6	'
Maximum limit of required debt-to-income ratio	'	'	'	3.5	'
Actual debt-to-capital ratio	'	'	0.28	'	'
Actual debt-to-income ratio	'	'	1.2	'	'

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt related to interest rate swaps	'	'	$10.70	'	$10.10
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	-1	-0.9	-1.1	-3.4	'
Maximum maturity date of fair value hedge (in years)	'	'	'7 years	'	'
Derivative gain expected to reclassify from Accumulated OCI into earnings, in the next 12 months, net of tax	0.2	'	0.2	'	'
Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding and designated as fair value hedges	100	'	100	'	100
Equity forwards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Equity forwards in place of common stock associated with its deferred compensation plans	118,800	'	118,800	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Income (Expense) - Net [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Transaction gain (losses) on net exposures	10.5	-8.9	9.4	-5.5	'
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	-1	-0.9	-1.1	-3.4	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity forwards [Member] | Operating Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative gain (losses) recognized	0.6	1.3	1.9	2.4	'
Mark-to-market deferred compensation expense	0.5	1	1.9	2.8	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency forwards [Member] | Other Income (Expense) - Net [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative gain (losses) recognized	-11.5	8	-10.5	2.1	'
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	205.1	'	205.1	'	197.1
Euros [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	97.7	'	97.7	'	89.1
Swedish Kronor [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	74.7	'	74.7	'	64.3
Australian Dollars [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	36	'	36	'	33.8
Chinese Yuan [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	6	'	6	'	'
South Korean Won [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	6	'	6	'	5.5
Singapore Dollars [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	5.6	'	5.6	'	12.7
British Pounds [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	5.5	'	5.5	'	26.2
Mexican Pesos [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	4.9	'	4.9	'	4.7
Hong Kong Dollars [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	3.2	'	3.2	'	7.8
Other Currencies [Member] | Buy Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	3.5	'	3.5	'	'
Other Currencies [Member] | Sell Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	5.7	'	5.7	'	4.4
Canadian Dollars [Member] | Sell Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	15.9	'	15.9	'	25.6
Japanese Yen [Member] | Sell Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	16.4	'	16.4	'	12.2
Danish Kroner [Member] | Sell Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forwards outstanding	'	'	'	'	4.8
Treasury Locks [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury lock settled	0	'	0	'	0
Treasury locks outstanding	$0	'	$0	'	$0

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Included within Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$29	$25.70
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	15.2	5.6
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	10.7	10.1
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	18.3	15.6
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	15.2	5.6
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency forwards [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	3.8	4.1
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency forwards [Member] | Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	'	'
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	15.2	5.6
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity forwards [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$14.50	$11.50

Financial_Instruments_Derivati

Financial Instruments - Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Detail) (Interest Rate Swaps [Member], Interest Expense [Member], Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective Portion of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in Income	$1	$1	$3	$3

Financial_Instruments_Effect_o

Financial Instruments - Effect of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated OCI on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Treasury Locks [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective Portion of Gain Recognized in Accumulated OCI	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective Portion of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income	$0.10	$0.10	$0.30	$0.30

Financial_Instruments_Derivati1

Financial Instruments - Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Detail) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Foreign currency forwards [Member] | Other Income (Expense) - Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain Recognized in Income	($11.50)	$8	($10.50)	$2.10
Equity forwards [Member] | Operating Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain Recognized in Income	$0.60	$1.30	$1.90	$2.40

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val1

Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Financial Instruments not Approximating Carrying Values in Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt and notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$919.20	$972
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Finance receivables - net	1,036.40	935.2
Contract receivables - net	313.9	285.5
Long-term debt and notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	919.2	972
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Finance receivables - net	1,194.70	1,084.10
Contract receivables - net	360.3	326.7
Long-term debt and notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$1,028.20	$1,078.90

Pension_Plans_Net_Periodic_Pen

Pension Plans - Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail) (Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$4.50	$5.20	$13.50	$15.40
Interest cost	14.4	12.9	43.1	38.7
Expected return on plan assets	-18.2	-17.7	-54.5	-53
Amortization of unrecognized loss	5.8	10.4	17.2	31.1
Amortization of prior service credit	-0.2	-0.2	-0.6	-0.6
Net periodic benefit cost	$6.30	$10.60	$18.70	$31.60

Pension_Plans_Additional_Infor

Pension Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014
Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Expected future employer contributions	$8.80
Domestic Pension Plans [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Expected future employer contributions	1.8
Cash contributions made	20.9
Discretionary contribution	20
Required contribution	$0.90

Postretirement_Health_Care_Pla2

Postretirement Health Care Plans - Net Periodic Postretirement Health Care Cost (Detail) (Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Postretirement Health Care Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$0.10	'	$0.10	$0.10
Interest cost	0.6	0.5	1.9	1.6
Expected return on plan assets	-0.3	-0.2	-0.9	-0.8
Net periodic benefit cost	$0.40	$0.30	$1.10	$0.90

Recovered_Sheet1

Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Mar. 29, 2014

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Sep. 28, 2013

2011 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan [Member]

Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Franchisee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Franchisee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Franchisee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Franchisee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Performance Awards [Member]

Performance Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Stock-Settled SARs [Member]

Stock-Settled SARs [Member]

Stock-Settled SARs [Member]

Stock-Settled SARs [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Non-employee Directors [Member]

Non-employee Directors [Member]

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares available for future grants

0

'

0

'

1,873,245

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

Net stock-based expense

$8.60

$9.40

$27.30

$28.90

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash received from stock purchase and option plan exercises

1.8

1.8

30.8

27.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit realized from exercise and vesting of share-based payment arrangements

0.8

0.7

16.2

11.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average contractual term (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$20.19

$17.36

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value exercised

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.3

1.7

21.7

12.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of stock options vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.5

7.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested award

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16.2

'

16.2

'

18.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.6

'

2.6

'

2.8

'

2.8

'

'

'

Cost expected to be recognized over weighted-average period, in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 8 months 12 days

'

'1 year 8 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7 months 6 days

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

Maximum stock percentage to be awarded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Performance period for awards granted (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Awards granted vesting period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average grant date fair value granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$101.08

$77.31

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$23.03

'

'

'

$19.55

$17.47

'

'

Performance awards shares paid out

'

'

146,313

213,459

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

84,413

95,047

159,970

'

'

4,000

'

'

'

116,000

'

10,398

13,437

Units granted vesting date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2015

'2014

'2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

159,970

'

1,563

1,563

'

'

'

81,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intrinsic value of stock exercised

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.7

0.9

4.7

3.6

0

0

0.1

0

'

'

Fair value of stock vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.7

4.8

'

'

0.6

0

'

'

Number of shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56,582

93,442

'

'

74,502

105,406

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares reserved for issuance

'

'

'

'

'

865,043

'

865,043

'

230,337

'

230,337

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee contributions for purchase of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

0.1

0.1

1.1

2.4

0.2

0.2

1

2.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock purchase plan, description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The purchase price of the company's common stock to participants is the lesser of the mean of the high and low price of the stock on the beginning date (May 15) or ending date (the following May 14) of each plan year.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Franchisee contributions for purchase of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1.80

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Franchisee stock purchase plan, description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'All franchisees in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate in a franchisee stock purchase plan. The purchase price of the company's common stock to participants is the lesser of the mean of the high and low price of the stock on the beginning date (May 15) or ending date (the following May 14) of each plan year.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recovered_Sheet2

Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock Plans - Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions of Fair Value Granted Using Black-Scholes Valuation Model (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'	'3 years 8 months 1 day	'4 years 6 months 7 days	'4 years 3 months 15 days
Expected volatility factor	'	26.39%	26.76%	33.79%
Expected dividend yield	'	2.68%	2.40%	2.67%
Risk-free interest rate	'	0.64%	1.30%	0.79%
Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'	'	'3 years 8 months 27 days	'3 years 6 months 18 days
Expected volatility factor	'	'	23.87%	26.12%
Expected dividend yield	'	'	2.19%	2.68%
Risk-free interest rate	'	'	1.08%	0.63%
Stock-Settled SARs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'	'3 years 8 months 1 day	'4 years 5 months 27 days	'4 years 2 months 27 days
Expected volatility factor	'	26.39%	25.64%	33.92%
Expected dividend yield	'	2.68%	2.40%	2.67%
Risk-free interest rate	'	0.64%	1.50%	0.91%

StockBased_Compensation_and_Ot2

Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (Stock Option [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014
Stock Option [Member]	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	2,429
Shares, Granted	644
Shares, Exercised	-357
Shares, Forfeited or expired	-35
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	2,681
Shares, Exercisable at end of period	1,445
Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding at beginning of year	$58.35
Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$109.44
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$52.34
Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$89.85
Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding at end of period	$71.01
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable at end of period	$53.55
Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding at end of period	'7 years 1 month 6 days
Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable at end of period	'5 years 8 months 12 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at end of period	$136
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at end of period	$98.60

StockBased_Compensation_and_Ot3

Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock Plans - Summary of Changes in Non-Vested Awards (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Nonvested Performance Shares [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Shares, at beginning of year	381,000	'
Shares, Granted	176,000	'
Shares, Vested	-2,000	'
Shares, Cancellations	-6,000	'
Shares, at end of period	549,000	'
Fair Value Price per Share, at beginning of year	$68.13	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Granted	$101.08	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Vested	$66.12	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Cancellations	$78.76	'
Fair Value Price per Share, at end of period	$78.58	'
Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Shares, at beginning of year	126,000	'
Shares, Granted	4,000	'
Shares, Vested	-81,000	'
Shares, Cancellations	-2,000	'
Shares, at end of period	47,000	'
Fair Value Price per Share, at beginning of year	$43.72	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Granted	$23.03	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Vested	$58.68	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Cancellations	$0	'
Fair Value Price per Share, at end of period	$54.10	'
Stock-Settled SARs [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Shares, at beginning of year	122,000	'
Shares, Granted	116,000	'
Shares, Exercised	-3,000	'
Shares, Cancellations	-10,000	'
Shares, at end of period	225,000	'
Shares, Exercisable at end of period	30,000	'
Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding at beginning of year	$79.29	'
Fair Value Price per Share, Granted	$19.55	$17.47
Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$109.98	'
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$79.04	'
Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited or expired	$79.04	'
Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding at end of period	$94.82	'
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable at end of period	$79.39	'
Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding at end of period	'8 years 10 months 24 days	'
Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable at end of period	'8 years 4 months 24 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at end of period	$6.10	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at end of period	$1.30	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	58,110,855	58,163,261	58,148,345	58,221,047
Effect of dilutive securities	902,197	837,840	881,249	848,938
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	59,013,052	59,001,101	59,029,594	59,069,985

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (Stock-Settled SARs [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Stock-Settled SARs [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding options or stock settled SARs	0	0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Product Warranty Accrual Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Beginning of period	$17.70	$17.90	$17	$18.90
Additions	3.5	3.5	10.4	8.3
Usage	-3.6	-2.4	-9.8	-8.2
End of period	$17.60	$19	$17.60	$19

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Franchisee leases sold with recourse provisions	$2.70	$7.70
Minimum term required for leases to recourse (in days)	'90 days	'

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Compu

Other Income (Expense) - Net - Computation of Other Income (Expense) - Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest income	$0.10	$0.10	$0.30	$0.30
Net foreign exchange loss	-1	-0.9	-1.1	-3.4
Other	'	'	0.1	'
Total other income (expense) - net	($0.90)	($0.80)	($0.70)	($3.10)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Changes in Accumulated OCI by Component, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	($36.50)	($155.90)	($44.80)	($124.20)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-64.8	39.3	-63.3	-4.9
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI	3.4	5.5	10.2	18
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	-61.4	44.8	-53.1	13.1
Ending balance	-97.9	-111.1	-97.9	-111.1
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	122.6	85.5	121.1	129.7
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-64.8	39.3	-63.3	-4.9
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI	'	0	'	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	-64.8	39.3	-63.3	-4.9
Ending balance	57.8	124.8	57.8	124.8
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	1.1	1.5	1.3	1.7
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	0	'	0
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI	-0.1	-0.1	-0.3	-0.3
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	-0.1	-0.1	-0.3	-0.3
Ending balance	1	1.4	1	1.4
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	-160.2	-242.9	-167.2	-255.6
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	0	'	0
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI	3.5	5.6	10.5	18.3
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	3.5	5.6	10.5	18.3
Ending balance	($156.70)	($237.30)	($156.70)	($237.30)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated OCI (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of net unrecognized losses and prior service credits included in net periodic pension cost	($5.60)	($10.20)	($16.60)	($30.50)
Interest expense	12.7	14.4	39.1	41.8
Income tax expense	48.4	40.8	144.6	122.1
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, Net of tax	-3.4	-5.5	-10.2	-18
Reclassification out of AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, Net of tax	-3.4	-5.5	-10.2	-18
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, Net of tax	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.3
Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, Net of tax	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.3
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, Net of tax	-3.5	-5.6	-10.5	-18.3
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans [Member] | Reclassification out of AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of net unrecognized losses and prior service credits included in net periodic pension cost	-5.6	-10.2	-16.6	-30.5
Income tax expense	2.1	4.6	6.1	12.2
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, Net of tax	-3.5	-5.6	-10.5	-18.3
Treasury Locks [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$0.10	$0.10	$0.30	$0.30

Segments_Net_Sales_by_Segment_

Segments - Net Sales by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$806.30	$753.20	$2,420.30	$2,259
Financial services revenue	53.6	45.1	155.5	133.6
Total revenues	859.9	798.3	2,575.80	2,392.60
Operating earnings	168.3	142.9	497.3	429.6
Interest expense	-12.7	-14.4	-39.1	-41.8
Other income (expense) - net	-0.9	-0.8	-0.7	-3.1
Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings	154.7	127.7	457.5	384.7
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	925	861.7	2,756.70	2,560.10
Operating earnings	191.3	167.4	570.2	507.6
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	298.8	275.2	876.6	807.8
Operating earnings	40.8	36	118.1	100.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	355	333.8	1,067.70	1,007.30
Operating earnings	49.5	41.9	159.2	143.6
Operating Segments [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	271.2	252.7	812.4	745
Operating earnings	63.3	57.9	186	171.1
Operating Segments [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating earnings	37.7	31.6	106.9	92.7
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-118.7	-108.5	-336.4	-301.1
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating earnings	($23)	($24.50)	($72.90)	($78)

Segments_Assets_by_Segment_Det

Segments - Assets by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$4,268.50	$4,110
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	3,985.40	3,731.90
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial & Industrial Group [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	989.9	971
Operating Segments [Member] | Snap-on Tools Group [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	616.9	557.3
Operating Segments [Member] | Repair Systems & Information Group [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	1,030.10	979.6
Operating Segments [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	1,348.50	1,224
Corporate [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	330.2	431.8
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	($47.10)	($53.70)