XML 61 R48.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS, Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of shares of employer common stock included plan assets (in shares) |  | 217,018 |  | 217,018
Value of employer common stock included plan assets |  | $ 5,675,021 |  | $ 4,535,676
Dividends received from employer common stock |  | $ 95,488 |  | 95,488
Equity Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Long-term target allocations for plan assets |  | 50.00% |  |
Fixed income [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Long-term target allocations for plan assets |  | 50.00% |  |
Pension Benefits [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | $ 72,098,771 |  | $ 65,627,501
Number of shares of employer common stock included plan assets (in shares) |  | 0 |  | 0
Value of employer common stock included plan assets |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 5,675,021 |  | 4,535,676
Pension Benefits [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 66,423,750 |  | 61,091,825
Pension Benefits [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common/Collective Trust Funds [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 278,016 |  | 276,129
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common/Collective Trust Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common/Collective Trust Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 278,016 |  | 276,129
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common/Collective Trust Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | The Eastern Company Common Stock [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 5,675,021 |  | 4,535,676
Pension Benefits [Member] | The Eastern Company Common Stock [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 5,675,021 |  | 4,535,676
Pension Benefits [Member] | The Eastern Company Common Stock [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | The Eastern Company Common Stock [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Russell Multi Asset Core Plus Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] | 31,642,837 |  |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Russell Multi Asset Core Plus Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] | 0 |  |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Russell Multi Asset Core Plus Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] | 31,642,837 |  |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Russell Multi Asset Core Plus Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] | 0 |  |
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap Defensive Equity Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] |  |  | 7,131,589
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap Defensive Equity Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap Defensive Equity Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] |  |  | 7,131,589
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap Defensive Equity Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [1] |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Equity II Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [2] |  |  | 4,875,234
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Equity II Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [2] |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Equity II Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [2] |  |  | 4,875,234
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Equity II Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [2] |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap U.S. Equity Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [3] |  |  | 5,984,636
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap U.S. Equity Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [3] |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap U.S. Equity Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [3] |  |  | 5,984,636
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Large Cap U.S. Equity Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets | [3] |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC International Fund with Active Currency [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 8,178,635
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC International Fund with Active Currency [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC International Fund with Active Currency [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 8,178,635
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC International Fund with Active Currency [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Emerging Markets Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 3,373,089
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Emerging Markets Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Emerging Markets Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 3,373,089
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Emerging Markets Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Fixed Income I Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 8,700,175
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Fixed Income I Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Fixed Income I Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 8,700,175
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC Fixed Income I Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 8 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 6,033,648 | [2] | 1,499,390
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 8 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [2] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 8 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 6,033,648 | [2] | 1,499,390
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 8 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [2] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 1,851,317
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 1,851,317
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 12 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 2,122,411
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 12 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 12 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 2,122,411
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 12 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 14 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 18,083,206 | [2] | 3,790,209
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 14 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [2] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 14 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 18,083,206 | [2] | 3,790,209
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 14 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [2] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 16 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 5,650,440
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 16 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 16 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 5,650,440
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 16 Year LDI Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  |  |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 15 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 1,905,068 | [3] | 2,504,395
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 15 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [3] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 15 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 1,905,068 | [3] | 2,504,395
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 15 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [3] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 3,570,427 | [3] | 1,407,518
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [3] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 3,570,427 | [3] | 1,407,518
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 10 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [3] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 28 to 29 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 2,144,581 | [3] | 464,106
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 28 to 29 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [3] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 28 to 29 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 2,144,581 | [3] | 464,106
Pension Benefits [Member] | RITC 28 to 29 Year STRIPS Fixed Income Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 | [3] | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 2,765,967 |  | 3,282,552
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 0 |  | 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 2,765,967 |  | 3,282,552
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0
[1] | The investment objective of the RITC (formerly Russell) Multi-Asset Core Plus Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital over a market cycle by offering a diversified portfolio of funds and separate accounts investing in global stock, return seeking fixed income, commodities, global real estate and opportunistic investments. They hold a dynamic mix of underlying Russell Investments funds and/or separate accounts. Russell Investments is a strong proponent of disciplined strategic asset allocation and rebalancing strategies, and believes that unstable movements in the market have the potential to create opportunities. By identifying short-term mispricing, and making small tactical adjustments to the Multi-Asset Core Plus Fund, they believe there is potential to enhance returns while continuing to manage risks.
[2] | The Target Duration LDI Fixed Income Funds seek to outperform their respective Barclays-Russell LDI Indexes over a full market cycle. These Funds invest primarily in investment grade corporate bonds that closely match those found in discount curves used to value U.S. pension liabilities. They seek to provide additional incremental return through modest interest rate timing, security selection and tactical use of non-credit sectors. Generally for use in combination with other bond funds to gain additional credit exposure, with the goal of reducing the mismatch between a plan's assets and liabilities.
[3] | The STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities) Funds seek to provide duration and Treasury exposure by investing in an optimized subset of the STRIPS universe with a similar duration profile as the Barclays U.S. Treasury STRIPS 10-11 year, 16-16 year or 28-29 year Index. These passively managed funds are generally used with other bond funds to add additional duration to the asset portfolio. This will help reduce the mismatch between a plan's assets and liabilities.

X
- Definition The amount of dividends received from employer securities or securities of parties related to the employer that are included in plan assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | eml_DefinedBenefitPlanEmployerAndRelatedPartySecuritiesIncludedInPlanAssetsDividendsReceived
Namespace Prefix: | eml_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of employer securities or securities of parties related to the employer that are included in plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (n) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountOfEmployerAndRelatedPartySecuritiesIncludedInPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of asset, recognized in statement of financial position, for overfunded defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64852052&loc=d3e1731-114919 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(17)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64852052&loc=d3e1703-114919 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(10)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(10)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of employer shares or related party shares included in plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (n) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNumberOfSharesOfEquitySecuritiesIssuedByEmployerAndRelatedPartiesIncludedInPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of target investment allocation to total plan assets. Includes, but is not limited to, percentage on weighted-average basis if more than one plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(5)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_EasternCompanyCommonStockMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_MultiAssetCorePlusFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_USLargeCapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_USSmallCapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_USLargeCapEquityFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_InternationalLargeCapWithActiveCurrencyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_EmergingMarketMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_IntermediateBondMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_EightYearTargetDurationLdiFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_TenYearTargetDurationLdiFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_TwelveYearTargetDurationLdiFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_FourteenYearTargetDurationLdiFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_SixteenYearTargetDurationLdiFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_FifteenYearTargetDurationSTRIPSFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_TenYearTargetDurationSTRIPSFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_TwentyEightToTwentyNineYearTargetDurationSTRIPSFixedIncomeFundMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=eml_InsuranceContractsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |