RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Textual) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Employee Severance	Jun. 30, 2013 North America Welding	Jun. 30, 2012 North America Welding	Jun. 30, 2013 North America Welding	Jun. 30, 2012 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 North America Welding Employee Severance employee	Jun. 30, 2013 Europe Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Europe Welding employee	Jun. 30, 2013 Asia Pacific Welding	Jun. 30, 2012 Asia Pacific Welding	Jun. 30, 2013 Asia Pacific Welding	Jun. 30, 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	$ 851	$ 1,258	$ 1,902	$ 1,258
Employee severance and other related costs						1,819
Asset impairment charges			206														206
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation			123														121
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities												72		285						268
Special items net charges	3,389	2,639	14,100	2,639			266	77	1,126	77			69		510	589	707	589
Charged to expense			1,819						1,126								622
Restructuring reserve	$ 2,813		$ 2,813		$ 3,057		$ 775		$ 775		$ 0		$ 1,354		$ 684		$ 684		$ 1,044