Note 13 - Segment Information (Detail) - Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	$ 13,576	$ 13,800	$ 2,044	$ 24,307	$ 25,504
Intersegment sales		4		10	30
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	1,994	2,733		1,923	4,050
Net earnings (loss)	1,334	2,655		1,291	3,912
Thermal Products [Member]
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	1,055	1,830		1,372	2,593
Mechanical Products [Member]
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(380)	591		(932)	1,112
Electrical Products [Member]
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	1,374	525		1,739	680
Corporate [Member]
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(55)	(213)		(256)	(335)
Thermal Products [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	6,503	6,667		12,614	12,021
Mechanical Products [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	3,086	5,097		5,600	10,127
Electrical Products [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	3,987	2,040		6,103	3,386
Intersegment Sales [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers		(4)		(10)	(30)
United States [Member]
U.S.	3,733	4,796		7,929	9,023
Foreign [Member]
Foreign	9,843	9,004		16,378	16,481
Revenues [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	13,576	13,800		24,307	25,504
Thermal Products [Member]
Net earnings (loss)	725	1,789		960	2,534
Mechanical Products [Member]
Net earnings (loss)	(236)	554		(581)	1,027
Electrical Products [Member]
Net earnings (loss)	886	510		1,119	660
Corporate [Member]
Net earnings (loss)	(41)	(198)		(207)	(309)
Mechanical Products [Member]
Intersegment sales		4		10	4
Electrical Products [Member]
Intersegment sales					$ 26