Loud wooden pole

[dramey]

Couldn’t you cover the tip of the pole with epoxy?

 

[Dana]

How about boring the end of the pole and epoxying in a threaded insert, then screw in a polyurethane hammer face? Perhaps a metal band around the outside to reinforce where it's bored for the insert.

 

[Tsuga8]

How about boring the end of the pole and epoxying in a threaded insert, then screw in a polyurethane hammer face? Perhaps a metal band around the outside to reinforce where it's bored for the insert.

That's an intriguing idea, though it would have to be sacrificial. I would think epoxy wouldn't deaden sound as much because it's hard. Or are there epoxies that cure softer?

The hammer head might be the right level of durable but with a little give to deaden the sound a bit. Clearly something designed to be banged repeatedly (though jagged rocks might chew it up pretty fast?).

 

[Dana]

The hammer head might be the right level of durable but with a little give to deaden the sound a bit. Clearly something designed to be banged repeatedly (though jagged rocks might chew it up pretty fast?).

Polyurethane is one of the most abrasion resistant materials out there. It comes in formulations from super soft (think pencil eraser) to verye hard. Obviously the harder formulations will be more durable. For a pole you'd probably want medium or medium-hard. Yes, it's sacrificial, but that's the whole point; if it gets all chewed up you just unscrew it and screw a new one in.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

You might be onto something. You could pair that with the customary copper cap. Just drill through the cap like we usually do for the hanger bolt and screw the hammer face over that.

 

[Tryin']

High Density Polyethylene is about perfect for impact and abrasion resistance, but like all petroleum base products, its gonna be slick on rocks.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

High Density Polyethylene is about perfect for impact and abrasion resistance, but like all petroleum base products, its gonna be slick on rocks.

Good point.
Maybe it would be a good idea to just have a sacrificial section of wood inserted into an aluminum tube sleeve (or aluminum pole end. With the insert turned so it has a press fit with a shoulder to keep it in place, and maybe a set screw in the side, it could probably stay in place until it wears down to the metal.

If it's not glued in place, the insert could be easily replaced.

 

[Dana]

High Density Polyethylene is about perfect for impact and abrasion resistance, but like all petroleum base products, its gonna be slick on rocks.

Ultra High Density Polyethylene (UHMW) might work, but as you said it might be too slippery. Polyurethane is (or can be) a bit softer, allowing it to grip better, and it's as good as or better than UHMW for abrasion resistance.

But the hammer faces are cheap and easily swapped; one could buy and try several different materials or hardnesses.