Note 6 - Equity Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012 Long Term Advance For Materials [Member] Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Repaid Balance [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Remaining Balance [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Maple Industries And Associates [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Maple Industries And Associates [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage											41.66%		58.34%
Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost	$ 1,450,000		$ 1,450,000				$ 942,000			$ 508,000		$ 708,000
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	2,753,000		2,753,000		2,435,000	[1]		525,000	417,000
Contract Receivable, Due after One Year, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.50%		3.50%
Interest Receivable	7,000		7,000
Expense To Acquire Inventory	4,205,000	3,108,000	7,826,000	5,902,000
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	171,000	107,000	318,000	234,000
Equity Method Investments	2,753,000		2,753,000
Cumulative Equity In Income of Unconsolidated Affiliate	1,905,000		1,905,000
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	$ 77,000

[1] The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 has been prepared using information from the audited balance sheet as of that date.