BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 VEB	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Venezuela-Highly Inflationary Economy
Official exchange rate set by Venezuelan government for non-essential goods after devaluation (in bolivars per U.S. dollar)		4.3
Net bolivar-denominated monetary assets position	$ 21,898,000		$ 6,826,000

Represents the official bolivars to US Dollars foreign currency exchange rate set by the Venezuelan government for nonessential goods after devaluation.

No definition available.

Name:	leco_OfficialBolivarsToUSDollarsExchangeRateSetByVenezuelanGovernmentForNonessentialGoodsAfterDevaluation
Namespace Prefix:	leco_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant