Abstract: The contact wheel according to the present invention comprises an annular support portion having external surfaces, and a generally cylindrical peripheral surface. The peripheral surface has spaced edges each adjoining an adjacent external surface, and circumferentially spaced elongate grooves formed therein with land portions disposed between the grooves. The grooves are spaced from the respective adjacent edges of the peripheral surface to provide annular land surfaces at each edge of the peripheral surface. The contact wheel further includes one or more passageways formed therein, which communicate with a groove at a first end of the passageway, and with either an external surface of the annular support portion, or an adjacent groove at a second end of the passageway. The passageways aid in reducing the amount of noise generated by the contact wheel when it is rotated with the abrasive belt entrained thereover.