RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Textual) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	$ 259	$ 1,627	$ 851	$ 1,051	$ 5,037	$ 3,059	$ 1,258	$ 8,463	$ 9,354	$ 282
Special items charge								21,366	10,735	282
Restructuring charges								3,658	7,615
Restructuring liability	3,276				3,057			3,276	3,057	255
Asset impairment charges								4,961
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation								156
North America Welding
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special items charge								1,052	827	0
Restructuring charges								1,052	827
Restructuring liability	466				0			466	0	0
Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special items charge								1,832
Restructuring charges								1,599
Restructuring liability	1,209							1,209
Asset impairment charges								233
Europe Welding 2012 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special items charge								213
Restructuring liability	1,226							1,226
Asia Pacific Welding
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special items charge								6,071	4,993	(110)
Restructuring charges								841	3,151	93
Restructuring liability	375				1,044			375	1,044	0
Asset impairment charges								235	1,842
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation								154		203
Restructuring Charges Net								922
Other Asset Impairment Charges		4,675						4,444
The Harris Products Group
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special items charge								0	0	0
Restructuring charges								0	0
Restructuring liability	0				0			0	0	82
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other related costs								3,658
Employee Severance | North America Welding
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities								72
Employee Severance | Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities								56
Employee Severance | Europe Welding 2012 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities								285
Employee Severance | Asia Pacific Welding
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities								268
Employee Severance | Minimum | Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs								400
Employee Severance | Maximum | Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs								$ 700