SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 item	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of operating segments			5
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	$ 744,045	$ 699,293	$ 1,471,167	$ 1,298,472
Total	744,045	699,293	1,471,167	1,298,472
EBIT, as adjusted	101,073	82,385	194,281	144,329
Special items charge (gain)	2,639	(75)	2,639	282
EBIT	98,434	82,460	191,642	144,047
Interest income	849	661	1,732	1,269
Interest expense	(1,126)	(1,627)	(2,298)	(3,285)
Income before income taxes	98,157	81,494	191,076	142,031
Total assets	2,021,988	2,001,066	2,021,988	2,001,066	1,976,776
Special items
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions	1,258	(75)	1,258	282
North America Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	416,223	321,656	797,552	602,413
Inter-segment sales	39,658	37,222	73,200	72,349
Total	455,881	358,878	870,752	674,762
EBIT, as adjusted	76,556	58,120	146,075	104,756
Special items charge (gain)	77		77
EBIT	76,479	58,120	145,998	104,756
Total assets	897,248	678,044	897,248	678,044
Special items
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions	77		77
Europe Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	114,437	139,248	240,240	253,456
Inter-segment sales	4,466	6,302	8,917	10,137
Total	118,903	145,550	249,157	263,593
EBIT, as adjusted	10,991	11,073	23,802	16,985
Special items charge (gain)	592	34	592	392
EBIT	10,399	11,039	23,210	16,593
Total assets	453,089	505,590	453,089	505,590
Special items
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions	592	34	592	188
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation				(204)
Asia Pacific Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	85,433	102,721	177,996	190,281
Inter-segment sales	5,076	3,397	8,893	6,610
Total	90,509	106,118	186,889	196,891
EBIT, as adjusted	4,014	1,256	6,587	1,382
Special items charge (gain)	589	(109)	589	(110)
EBIT	3,425	1,365	5,998	1,492
Total assets	365,494	369,181	365,494	369,181
Special items
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions	589	94	589	93
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation		203		203
South America Welding
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	37,169	37,769	77,007	71,842
Inter-segment sales	11	120	11	120
Total	37,180	37,889	77,018	71,962
EBIT, as adjusted	2,980	3,527	5,885	5,575
Special items charge (gain)	1,381		1,381
EBIT	1,599	3,527	4,504	5,575
Total assets	124,093	119,387	124,093	119,387
Special items
Special items, increased employee severance obligation requirements	1,381		1,381
The Harris Products Group
Financial information for the reportable segments
Net sales	90,783	97,899	178,372	180,480
Inter-segment sales	2,353	2,017	4,736	4,250
Total	93,136	99,916	183,108	184,730
EBIT, as adjusted	9,041	9,197	16,194	15,740
EBIT	9,041	9,197	16,194	15,740
Total assets	200,676	235,068	200,676	235,068
Corporate / Eliminations
Financial information for the reportable segments
Inter-segment sales	(51,564)	(49,058)	(95,757)	(93,466)
Total	(51,564)	(49,058)	(95,757)	(93,466)
EBIT, as adjusted	(2,509)	(788)	(4,262)	(109)
EBIT	(2,509)	(788)	(4,262)	(109)
Total assets	$ (18,612)	$ 93,796	$ (18,612)	$ 93,796