QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Net sales	$ 567,985	$ 645,166	$ 664,740	$ 657,900	$ 683,954	$ 715,777	$ 728,531	$ 685,062	$ 2,535,791	$ 2,813,324	$ 2,852,671
Gross profit	196,079	198,894	225,781	220,390	231,085	241,609	250,267	226,336	841,144	949,297	942,654
Income before income taxes	71,172	(88,526)	94,434	92,707	100,736	77,785	114,866	82,426	169,787	375,813	416,441
Net income	$ 48,692	$ (60,466)	$ 70,898	$ 68,354	$ 75,212	$ 45,689	$ 77,332	$ 56,453	$ 127,478	$ 254,686	$ 293,780
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ (0.82)	$ 0.95	$ 0.90	$ 0.97	$ 0.58	$ 0.97	$ 0.70	$ 1.72	$ 3.22	$ 3.58
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ (0.82)	$ 0.94	$ 0.89	$ 0.96	$ 0.57	$ 0.96	$ 0.69	$ 1.70	$ 3.18	$ 3.54
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains (charges)	$ (434)	$ (18,285)	$ (1,239)		$ (166)	$ (29,068)	$ (836)	$ (17)	$ (19,958)	$ (30,053)	$ (8,463)
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains (charges), after-tax	(450)	(16,832)	$ (900)		$ (167)	(30,056)	(698)	(7)
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									6,315
Higher cost of goods sold due to the liquidation of inventory valued at the historical exchange rate										3,468	4,117
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax									4,334	17,665	8,081
Special items charge (Gain)									189,910	51,186	21,366
Asset Impairment Charges									6,239
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	(6,407)	(136,331)							(142,738)	(1,773)	(423)
Defined Benefit Plan Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due To Settlements Net Of Tax	(3,969)	(83,341)
Inventory Write-down									22,880
Special Items, Rationalization, Gain on Sale of Assets						3,911
Asia Pacific Welding
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Net sales									186,615	243,800	266,282
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									0
Special items charge (Gain)									5,432	28,635	6,071
Other Asset Impairment Charges										32,742	4,444
Land Sales										(3,293)	705
Asset Impairment Charges						32,448
Noncontrolling Interests
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Other Asset Impairment Charges						$ 805
South America Welding
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Net sales									138,014	148,595	195,895
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									0
Higher cost of goods sold due to the liquidation of inventory valued at the historical exchange rate							$ 3,468
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax								$ 17,665		21,133
Special items charge (Gain)		26,506							27,214	21,715	12,198
Inventory Write-down	$ 708
North America Welding
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Net sales									1,610,357	1,700,924	1,652,769
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		6,315							6,315
Special items charge (Gain)									155,757	$ (68)	$ 1,052
Asset Impairment Charges									$ 3,417
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Asset Impairment Charges		$ 3,417