CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,666,812	$ 3,300,184	$ 3,185,753
Cost of sales	2,533,973	2,270,709	2,193,371
Gross profit	1,132,839	1,029,475	992,382
Selling, general and administrative expense	818,210	732,340	696,800
Restructuring and other related charges	77,686	68,351	58,496
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge	0	152,700	238
Operating income	236,943	76,084	236,848
Pension settlement (gain) loss	(39)	46,933	48
Interest expense, net	44,052	41,137	30,276
Loss on Investments	10,128	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	182,802	(11,986)	206,524
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(21)	42,554	51,772
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	182,823	(54,540)	154,752
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(28,350)	224,047	(9,561)
Net income	154,473	169,507	145,191
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes	14,277	18,417	17,080
Net income attributable to Colfax Corporation	$ 140,196	$ 151,090	$ 128,111
Net income (loss) per share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 1.40	$ (0.59)	$ 1.12
Discontinued operations	(0.24)	1.82	(0.08)
Consolidated operations	1.16	1.23	1.04
Net income (loss) per share - diluted
Continuing operations	1.40	(0.59)	1.12
Discontinued operations	(0.24)	1.81	(0.08)
Consolidated operations	$ 1.16	$ 1.22	$ 1.04