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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


                   [letterhead of Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP]


                                February 5, 1998



Transmation, Inc.
10 Vantage Point Drive
Rochester, New York   14624

        Re: Transmation, Inc.
            Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        You have requested our opinion in connection with your Registration
Statement on Form S-3, as amended (Registration No. 333-42345), filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of the proposed sale by a certain
selling shareholder of Transmation, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the
"Corporation") so identified in the Registration Statement (the "Selling
Shareholder") of 762,524 authorized and issued shares of the Common Stock, par
value $.50 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock"), subject to
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

        We have examined the following corporate records and proceedings of the
Corporation in connection with the preparation of this opinion: its Articles of
Incorporation, as amended to date; its Code of Regulations, as in force and
effect on this date; its minute books, containing minutes and records of other
proceedings of its shareholders and its Board of Directors to the date hereof;
the Registration Statement and related Prospectus which constitutes a part
thereof; applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Ohio; and such other
documents and matters as we have deemed necessary in the circumstances.

        In rendering this opinion, we have made such examination of laws as we
have deemed relevant for the purposes hereof. As to various questions of fact
material to this opinion, we have relied upon representations and/or
certificates of officers of the Corporation, certificates and documents issued
by public officials and authorities, and information received from searchers of
public records.

        Based upon and in reliance on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

        1. The Corporation has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
under the laws of the State of Ohio.



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Transmation, Inc.
February 5, 1998
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        2. The shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Selling Shareholder upon
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement will, when sold and paid for as
described in the Registration Statement, be validly authorized and legally
issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable.

        We hereby consent to be named in the Registration Statement and to the
use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters" set forth in the related
Prospectus which constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, as attorneys
who will pass upon the legality of the shares of Common Stock offered thereby,
and we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP