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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Equity Investments) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]    
Ownership interest in equity investments (as a percent) 20.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		  
Maximum    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]    
Ownership interest in equity investments (as a percent) 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		  
Investments in Turkey and Chile    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]    
Amount of retained earnings that represents undistributed earnings of 50% or less owned equity investments $ 18,542us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUndistributedEarningsFromEquityMethodInvestees
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= leco_InvestmentsInTurkeyAndChileMember		 $ 16,694us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUndistributedEarningsFromEquityMethodInvestees
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= leco_InvestmentsInTurkeyAndChileMember