SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 segment	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	$ 728,531	$ 727,432	$ 1,413,593	$ 1,446,005
Inter-segment sales	0	0	0	0
Total	728,531	727,432	1,413,593	1,446,005
EBIT, as adjusted	119,232	109,832	219,962	211,146
Special items net charges	4,304	3,389	21,952	14,100
EBIT	114,928	106,443	198,010	197,046
Interest income	924	890	1,838	1,916
Interest expense	(986)	(799)	(2,556)	(1,749)
Income before income taxes	114,866	106,534	197,292	197,213
Total assets	2,144,839	2,060,117	2,144,839	2,060,117	2,151,867
Special items
Number of operating segments			5
North America Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	429,490	419,069	831,396	838,623
Inter-segment sales	33,360	35,529	66,303	64,514
Total	462,850	454,598	897,699	903,137
EBIT, as adjusted	91,195	82,777	162,559	159,437
Special items net charges	(21)	266	(68)	1,126
EBIT	91,216	82,511	162,627	158,311
Total assets	1,150,833	1,000,724	1,150,833	1,000,724
Europe Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	115,574	108,661	220,980	219,152
Inter-segment sales	5,494	4,330	11,354	8,609
Total	121,068	112,991	232,334	227,761
EBIT, as adjusted	14,899	9,532	24,191	20,233
Special items net charges	965	75	1,004	69
EBIT	13,934	9,457	23,187	20,164
Total assets	418,283	446,142	418,283	446,142
Asia Pacific Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	66,997	69,239	128,283	139,278
Inter-segment sales	3,600	4,374	8,049	8,758
Total	70,597	73,613	136,332	148,036
EBIT, as adjusted	365	653	(275)	2,946
Special items net charges	(108)	510	(117)	707
EBIT	473	143	(158)	2,239
Total assets	319,965	339,657	319,965	339,657
South America Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	39,051	44,503	83,044	80,877
Inter-segment sales	35	51	64	71
Total	39,086	44,554	83,108	80,948
EBIT, as adjusted	4,995	11,065	16,760	16,177
Special items net charges	3,468	2,538	21,133	12,198
EBIT	1,527	8,527	(4,373)	3,979
Total assets	149,430	124,841	149,430	124,841
The Harris Products Group
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	77,419	85,960	149,890	168,075
Inter-segment sales	2,262	2,674	4,380	4,898
Total	79,681	88,634	154,270	172,973
EBIT, as adjusted	7,178	7,343	13,236	14,494
Special items net charges	0	0	0	0
EBIT	7,178	7,343	13,236	14,494
Total assets	172,781	187,475	172,781	187,475
Corporate / Eliminations
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Inter-segment sales	(44,751)	(46,958)	(90,150)	(86,850)
Total	(44,751)	(46,958)	(90,150)	(86,850)
EBIT, as adjusted	600	(1,538)	3,491	(2,141)
Special items net charges	0	0	0	0
EBIT	600	(1,538)	3,491	(2,141)
Total assets	$ (66,453)	$ (38,722)	$ (66,453)	$ (38,722)