Goodwill & Intangibles Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning of period	$ 2,098,836	$ 204,844
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	26,785	100,598
Balance end of period	2,384,522	2,098,836
Gas and Fluid Handling [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning of period	1,225,494	204,844
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	22,629	57,632
Balance end of period	1,507,024	1,225,494
Fabrication Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning of period	873,342	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	4,156	42,966
Balance end of period	877,498	873,342
Charter International Plc [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		1,649,159
Charter International Plc [Member] | Gas and Fluid Handling [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		941,178
Charter International Plc [Member] | Fabrication Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		707,981
Soldex S.A. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		116,696
Soldex S.A. [Member] | Gas and Fluid Handling [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		0
Soldex S.A. [Member] | Fabrication Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		116,696
Other acquisitions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	258,901	27,539
Other acquisitions [Member] | Gas and Fluid Handling [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	258,901	21,840
Other acquisitions [Member] | Fabrication Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 0	$ 5,699