SEGMENT INFORMATION (Financial Information of Reportable Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	$ 925,448	$ 757,021
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	925,448	757,021
Adjusted EBIT	163,452	112,674
Special items charge (Gain)	(2,388)	10,162
EBIT	165,840	102,512
Interest income	376	454
Interest expense	(6,574)	(5,813)
Income before income taxes	159,642	97,153
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	1,885	4,163
Corporate/Eliminations
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	0	0
Revenue from Related Parties	(37,446)	(39,180)
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	(37,446)	(39,180)
Adjusted EBIT	(4,801)	(1,456)
Special items charge (Gain)	0	1,113
EBIT	(4,801)	(2,569)
Acquisition Transaction and Integration Costs		1,113
Americas Welding [Member]
Financial information for the reportable segments
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment	3,735
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment		4,440
Americas Welding [Member] | Operating Segments
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	534,055	425,242
Revenue from Related Parties	28,156	32,748
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	562,211	457,990
Adjusted EBIT	111,568	76,617
Special items charge (Gain)	(3,735)	4,440
EBIT	115,303	72,177
International Welding [Member]
Financial information for the reportable segments
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	1,885	4,163
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment		446
International Welding [Member] | Operating Segments
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	258,041	223,079
Revenue from Related Parties	6,228	4,285
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	264,269	227,364
Adjusted EBIT	37,087	18,816
Special items charge (Gain)	1,347	4,609
EBIT	35,740	14,207
The Harris Products Group | Operating Segments
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales (Note 2)	133,352	108,700
Revenue from Related Parties	3,062	2,147
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	136,414	110,847
Adjusted EBIT	19,598	18,697
Special items charge (Gain)	0	0
EBIT	$ 19,598	$ 18,697