GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ 180,127	$ 174,715
Additions and adjustments		23,245	17,633
Impairment charge		(6,315)
Foreign currency translation		(9,553)	(12,221)
Balance at the end of the period		187,504	180,127
North America Welding
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Balance at the beginning of the period		144,594	130,439
Additions and adjustments		19,700	18,014
Impairment charge	$ (6,315)	(6,315)
Foreign currency translation		(5,986)	(3,859)
Balance at the end of the period		151,993	144,594
Europe Welding
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Balance at the beginning of the period		16,730	24,430
Additions and adjustments		0	0
Impairment charge		0
Foreign currency translation		(2,384)	(7,700)
Balance at the end of the period		14,346	16,730
Asia Pacific Welding
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Balance at the beginning of the period		5,262	5,359
Additions and adjustments		3,846	0
Impairment charge		0
Foreign currency translation		(109)	(97)
Balance at the end of the period		8,999	5,262
South America Welding
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Balance at the beginning of the period		456	562
Additions and adjustments		0	0
Impairment charge		0
Foreign currency translation		(114)	(106)
Balance at the end of the period		342	456
The Harris Products Group
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Balance at the beginning of the period		13,085	13,925
Additions and adjustments		(301)	(381)
Impairment charge		0
Foreign currency translation		(960)	(459)
Balance at the end of the period		$ 11,824	$ 13,085