PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals
Balance at beginning of year		$ 21,053	$ 19,469
Accruals for warranties		8,118	9,222
Settlements		(8,672)	(8,529)
Standard And Extended Product Warranty Accrual Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss and Other Adjustments	[1]	2,368	111
Balance at end of period		22,867	$ 20,273
Air Liquide Welding [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals
Product warranty accrual		$ 2,114

[1] At September 30, 2017, Foreign currency translation and other adjustments includes $2,114 in an acquired liability related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.