Note 6 - Equity Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliate (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012 Long Term Advance For Materials [Member] Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maple Industries And Associates [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Maple Industries And Associates [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Repaid Balance [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	2,420,000		2,420,000		2,435,000	[1]						417,000
Expense To Acquire Inventory	5,843,000	3,299,000	13,669,000	9,201,000
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	84,000	134,000	402,000	368,000
Equity Method Investments	2,420,000		2,420,000
Cumulative Equity In Income of Unconsolidated Affiliate	1,989,000		1,989,000
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.