# So what did they drill into the telephone pole? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 13, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906 "2015-05-13T02:43:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wellanuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/1 "2015-05-13T02:43:33Z")
So a while back a guy from the power company (but maybe it was one of the other utility cos., now that I think of it) walked into our backyard and knelt down at the base of our plain-old wooden telephone/electric/cable TV pole and used what was apparently a large drill with a star-shaped bit to drill two large black somethings into the telephone pole, roughly at a 45-degree downward angle. Then he left. The exposed face head of the somethings is large, about the size of a quarter, and mostly filled by the star-shaped indentation for the bit. They do not seem to serve any structural purpose, like holding together a split in the pole or something. They are very low to the ground, certainly less than three feet, so I don’t think they are somehow related to faciliting climibing of the pole. I thought maybe it somehow monitors the power in order to help isolate where a line has gone down, but I would think something like that would be at the top of the pole, you know, where the lines are. But maybe it can detect the presence/absence of the electric field at that distance or something? I am guessing that they contain some kind of sensor (maybe to detect future rotting of the pole?) or some kind of transmitter/beacon, but that seems a little far-fetched. We’re in Commonwealth Edison territory, btw. Anyone know? Or any good guesses? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/2 "2015-05-13T02:57:39Z")
How about a picture. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/3 "2015-05-13T03:02:17Z")
Is it damaged in anyway? I found this, from [here](http://www.osmose.com/documents/North%20Star%20Catalog%20-%202014.pdf). > [@](#): > > OsmoWeld® MPF > For maximum results, all debris and foreign materials should be re- > moved from the damaged area and tape should be placed over the en- > try hole. After drilling a filling hole at a 45° angle, OsmoWeld MPF filler > is injected into the cavity. The product will flow easily and evenly, com- > pletely filling the hollow, which is vital in preventing the return behavior > of woodpeckers This would go in with something like a caulk gun and and you’d just see a tan colored hole. No cap or anything that I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![wellanuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/4 "2015-05-13T05:39:55Z")
Imagine something like a ginormous black TORX screwhead (about the same diameter as a quarter), countersunk at an angle into a wooden telephone pole. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/5 "2015-05-13T06:04:32Z")
I’m a long way from you but around here they use something very like that to slow-release anti-termite chemicals into the pole. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/6 "2015-05-13T10:57:46Z")
Sounds like insect control ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/7 "2015-05-13T11:21:46Z")
> [@wellanuff](#): > > Imagine something like a ginormous black TORX screwhead (about the same diameter as a quarter), countersunk at an angle into a wooden telephone pole. [http://www.scottyreplug.com/](http://www.scottyreplug.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Jesta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Jesta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesta)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/8 "2015-05-13T11:36:54Z")
> [@](#): > > [http://www.scottyreplug.com/](http://www.scottyreplug.com/) Looks like you’ve nailed it! well, screwed it to be accurate… My question though, what difference would installing with the bit, as opposed to the recommended hammer blow method make? " Replugs are designed to be installed with a hammer blow. A large slot screwdriver or star drill is used to remove them." [http://www.ewoodcare.com/Scotty-Replugs-A9\_p\_107.html](http://www.ewoodcare.com/Scotty-Replugs-A9_p_107.html) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/9 "2015-05-13T11:42:50Z")
> [@Jesta](#): > > Looks like you’ve nailed it! well, screwed it to be accurate… > > My question though, what difference would installing with the bit, as opposed to the recommended hammer blow method make? > > " Replugs are designed to be installed with a hammer blow. A large slot screwdriver or star drill is used to remove them." > > [http://www.ewoodcare.com/Scotty-Replugs-A9\_p\_107.html](http://www.ewoodcare.com/Scotty-Replugs-A9_p_107.html) The hole has to be made with a drill, you can’t just hammer the thing into solid wood. After that the plug can be hammered or screwed into the hole. “Star Drill” is one of the search terms I used from the OP that brought me to the page. It was just a fluke that the OP mentioned the shape of the drill bit and they recommended you use it as well. Honestly, I’m not even entirely sure what a star drill is, that’s why I used it as part of my google search. I think I may have just searched for Utility Pole Star Drill or something simple like that. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/10 "2015-05-13T13:14:14Z")
I believe there are similar-looking screws that are installed to reinforce older wooden poles. In my prior neighborhood, I saw crews doing both deep fumigation and sealing the holes with these scotty things, and doing lonnngggg drilling to put in thick spiral steel reinforcement rod/screws. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/11 "2015-05-13T13:23:51Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It was just a fluke that the OP mentioned the shape of the drill bit and they recommended you use it as well. I love the 'Dope. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/12 "2015-05-13T14:33:24Z")
This is most certainly for pest control as mentioned up thread. They drill the holes at an upward angle so water doesn’t go in, then place a vial of chemical (methyl isothiocyanate in my past experience) upside down in the hole. The chemical leaks out slowly over time saturating the wood and preventing infestation. source: I chain sawed a telephone pole up one time and got curious of all the empty vials in drilled holes I found. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/13 "2015-05-13T14:55:13Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I love the 'Dope. 🙂 Isn’t that the last line of _1984_? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/14 "2015-05-13T15:08:43Z")
I am the son of rock’n’roll I got the masses under my control I like to drink, I love the dope I want your money and I want your hope Read more: Biting Elbows - Bad Motherfucker Lyrics | MetroLyrics ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/15 "2015-05-13T15:35:55Z")
They were tapping the poles for sap, which can be boiled down into a delicious syrup. ---
**Author:** ![wellanuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/16 "2015-05-13T20:59:29Z")
The scotty replug picture looks very similar. Some “telephone pole fanboy” website (I only slightly exaggerate) I found indicated that they are used to plug holes drilled when testing the interior condition (re rotting) of the pole. So it is either that or insect control. The “star bit” I mentioned is apparently properly called a “TORX bit.” Now I have a hankerin’ for telephone pole syrup… Thanks everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/17 "2015-05-13T21:40:38Z")
Telephone poles can last 70-80 years in some cases, though traffic accidents, woodboring insects, road widening schemes and hedgecutting machinery often account for them before that. The British Post Office always instructed us that under no circumstances must you climb a damaged pole. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/18 "2015-05-13T22:05:18Z")
> [@Mk\_VII](#): > > Telephone poles can last 70-80 years in some cases, though traffic accidents, woodboring insects, road widening schemes and hedgecutting machinery often account for them before that. The British Post Office always instructed us that under no circumstances must you climb a damaged pole. Post Office? Joke, or do you have some other name for the guys in charge of mail? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Angry\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@The\_Angry\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Angry_Badger)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/19 "2015-05-13T22:15:06Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Post Office? Joke, or do you have some other name for the guys in charge of mail? Nope, up until the early '80s the phone system in the UK was run by the Post Office. Strange but true. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General\_Post\_Office#Telephone](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Post_Office#Telephone) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906/20 "2015-05-13T22:23:23Z")
> [@The\_Angry\_Badger](#): > > Nope, up until the early '80s the phone system in the UK was run by the Post Office. Strange but true. > > [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General\_Post\_Office#Telephone](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Post_Office#Telephone) During the Napoleonic Wars, they also ran military intelligence. :dubious: You don’t mess with those guys. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-they-drill-into-the-telephone-pole/719906.md?page=2)