RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Textual) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2011 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2010 North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Europe Welding 2012 Plan	Jun. 30, 2011 Asia Pacific Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Asia Pacific Welding	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia Pacific Welding	Dec. 31, 2010 Asia Pacific Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 The Harris Products Group	Dec. 31, 2011 The Harris Products Group	Dec. 31, 2010 The Harris Products Group	Dec. 31, 2012 Plan 2009	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum North America Welding	Dec. 31, 2012 Employee Severance	Dec. 31, 2012 Employee Severance North America Welding employee	Dec. 31, 2012 Employee Severance Europe Welding 2012 Plan employee	Dec. 31, 2012 Employee Severance Asia Pacific Welding employee	Dec. 31, 2012 Employee Severance Minimum Europe Welding 2012 Plan	Dec. 31, 2012 Employee Severance Maximum Europe Welding 2012 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	$ 5,037	$ 3,059	$ 1,258	$ 9,354	$ 282	$ (384)	$ 827				$ (75)	$ 3,151	$ 93	$ 427
Special items charge				10,735	282	2,739	827	0	0	3,534		4,993	(110)	(3,741)	0	0	871
Expected restructuring costs												500							1,400	1,700					50	100
Restructuring charges				7,615	259		827					3,151	93		0	0
Restructuring liability	3,057			3,057	255	1,431	0	0		1,836		1,044	0	90	0	82	930	177
Employee severance and other related costs										3,637		3,151									7,615
Asset impairment charges				1,842								1,842		387
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation				$ 103						$ 103			$ 203	$ 4,555
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities																						72	285	268