Abstract: A hand-held contact tachometer includes an elongated hollow handle comprising two interconnected members defining a clevis at one end thereof and carrying therewithin a magnetic sensor disposed adjacent to the clevis and conditioning circuitry coupled to the output of the sensor. The clevis has hub portions defining an axle on which is rotatably mounted a contact wheel of molded construction including a body of non-magnetic material in which is embedded a toothed magnetic wheel and a bearing. The wheel is provided with a frictional ribbed surface on its outer periphery to facilitate engagement with an associated moving surface, thereby rotating the wheel to generate a pulsating signal having a frequency proportional to the speed of the moving surface.