Note 7 - Investment in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliate (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member] Long Term Advance For Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Alpha ProTech Engineered Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Maple Industries And Associates [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Maple Industries And Associates [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Repaid Balance [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					41.66%		58.34%
Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost	$ 1,450,000		$ 942,000	$ 508,000		$ 708,000
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	2,498,000	2,435,000						417,000
Expense To Acquire Inventory	17,011,000	13,662,000
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	480,000	494,000
Equity Method Investments	2,498,000
Cumulative Equity In Income of Unconsolidated Affiliate	2,067,000
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	$ 77,000