A routine field inspection of some 1000 creosote poles during summer 2005 in northern Jutland, Denmark. The routine inspection was done by hammering, Pilodyn testing and taking core samples with a Matson Borer. Additionally a drill resistance measurement was done with a device consisting of the drill machine with a long, flexible steel needle with 1,5mm diameter and the measuring computer/battery-block (“Resistograph”). The needle is drilled with constant speed into the wood and the power uptake of the drill is measured. It showed excellent features for the investigation of poles or other wooden elements in service. But it is time consuming and heavy, thus, the old hammer method revealed to be still the fastest possibility to find out questionable poles. Thus, as an additional tool the Resistograph can be used at least on poles that were found to be in questionable condition and also on poles of particular importance, for example near roads or other places where a failure could lead to severe damages.

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