Note 17 - Segment Information (Detail) - Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	$ 43,376	$ 47,266
Property, Plant, and Equipment	1,250	1,134
Intersegment Sales	12	35
Depreciation/amortization:
Depreciation/amortization	933	394
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	2,996	7,578
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	3,053	7,659
Income tax expense (benefit):
Income tax expense (benefit)	897	(2,204)
Net earnings (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	2,156	9,863
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	431	780
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	32,399	31,237
Thermal Products [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	24,307	26,942
Depreciation/amortization:
Depreciation/amortization	816	319
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	2,939	6,951
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	2,958	6,965
Income tax expense (benefit):
Income tax expense (benefit)	869	(1,823)
Net earnings (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	2,089	8,788
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	216	431
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	20,849	20,030
Mechanical Products [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	9,916	15,208
Intersegment Sales	12	7
Depreciation/amortization:
Depreciation/amortization	73	59
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	(1,944)	736
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(1,934)	785
Income tax expense (benefit):
Income tax expense (benefit)	(568)	(170)
Net earnings (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	(1,366)	955
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	37	264
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	7,737	8,240
Electrical Products [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	9,165	5,151
Intersegment Sales		28
Depreciation/amortization:
Depreciation/amortization	44	16
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	2,023	457
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	2,051	475
Income tax expense (benefit):
Income tax expense (benefit)	602	(142)
Net earnings (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	1,449	617
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	178	85
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	3,813	2,967
Intersegment Sales [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	(12)	(35)
Corporate [Member]
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	(22)	(566)
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(22)	(566)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6)	(69)
Net earnings (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	(16)	(497)
UNITED STATES
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	15,915	19,165
Property, Plant, and Equipment	899	836
Foreign [Member]
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers	27,461	28,101
Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 351	$ 298