RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Textual) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 2009 Plans	Mar. 31, 2013 Employee Severance	Mar. 31, 2013 North America Welding	Mar. 31, 2012 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 North America Welding Employee Severance employee	Mar. 31, 2013 Europe Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Europe Welding employee	Mar. 31, 2013 Asia Pacific Welding	Mar. 31, 2012 Asia Pacific Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Asia Pacific Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Asia Pacific Welding Employee Severance employee
Rationalization and Asset Impairments
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	$ 1,051	$ 0
Employee severance and other related costs					940
Asset impairment charges	161
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation	50
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities									72		285				268
Special items net charges	10,711	0				860	0			(6)		197	0
Charged to expense	940					860						84
Restructuring reserve	3,340		3,057	172		833		0			1,379	956		1,044
Charges associated with the continuation of the consolidation of certain manufacturing operations						$ 180						$ 250