I was doing a How-To article on Heater motors and really wanted to know what the actual RPM of the various motors are. I ran across a very nice tester that works perfectly and is highly accurate:

Neiko® 20713A Digital Tachometer, Non-contact Laser Photo | 99,999 RPM Accuracy

Current Link here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

For $30 I couldn't pass it up. It uses a strip of silver tape that goes on the shaft (or surface) of whatever you want to test, then its just point and read the result. If you can get a line of sight on it, you can read it.

Deve

1950 Chevy 3100 Deluxe Cab
1950 Chevy 3100 Standard Cab
In the Stovebolt Gallery
The Think Tank
More info and tips at Deve's Technet