Just wanted to post a head's up. Was at Lowe's last night and they had several different lengths and quality levels of adjustable telescoping poles, but with standrsd threads at the end. Presumably for attaching window washer brushes and stuff.
Cheesy 4-8' ones were like 11$ and the nice Fiberglas 8-15' ones were about $30.
The trick though would be to find the right type of attachment for the end. Something that swivels but has a standard mounting point for the mic itself.
Anyway, i had a Eureka moment there and had to share.

The standard thread on a boom pole is 3/8th UNC/Whitworth
If you are using a professional microphone basket and "fluffy" the fitting should already have an angle adjustment device

Dude, I know what it's like to be broke and want to cut corners, but the first rule of audio is DO NOT SKIMP ON THE POLE. Seriously. Save money somewhere else if you have to, even if it means getting a cheaper mic. You need to spend at least $250 on the pole, and even that's on the lower end of things. But okay, if you are intent on doing this, I'd at least get a decent shockmount and epoxy it on the end if necessary. You can't have it rattling around or slipping.

Ken.... been there done that. I made a boompole out of an aluminum painter's pole from Home Depot for about $25. I drilled and cut threads into the end and threaded a 3/8 SAE piece of threaded rod into it. Worked great insofar as holding the shockmount on the end, and in fact was a "decent" pole. The wire was wrapped around the pole and it served its purpose. (The quality of the shockmount is important btw.)

Then I had a chance to use a carbon fiber boom pole. Pricey gadget but man was it nice. Lighter, quieter, just everything about it was better.

Inexperienced fool I was (and may yet be) I chalked it up to carbon fiber versus aluminum and vowed to buy a carbon fiber pole "someday".

Now, I should start out by admitting that I haunt e-bay looking for "bargains". I DO find 'em now and then, and one day I picked up a gorgeous INTERNALLY wired Gitzo boom pole for about $75, delivered. However it was "aluminum" and so... well...I had my doubts.... based mainly on my painter's pole experience. Man - was I wrong. It too, not unlike the carbon fiber pole- is a thing of beauty. Lightweight, well designed for the task, and just a joy to use. NONE of the problems (mainly handling noise types of issues) I experienced with the painter's pole, and WAY lighter. More professional looking too, and more comfortable to hold and use, and importantly, transport.

I still have my painter's pole boom. It extends farther than the Gitzo and I would use it in a pinch. But having found the difference, I partially agree with Marco that a real boom pole is "preferable" and way more forgiving of handling noise.

Now, for his comment that you have to spend at least $250 to get even close to a good one? Well my experience has been with a $500 carbon fiber one versus my $75 E-bay aluminum one (which I admit may retail new for closer to $200), and I can tell ya you don't have to spend "at least" $250 (with due respect to Marco who's posts have shed much light along my learning path on here. I just disagree with his comment on this point) to own a quality boom pole.

Look around you'll find my thread on my experience somewhere on here. (Note: Found it, here 'tis: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/all-things-audio/122082-boom-poles-low-level-perspective.html?highlight=Boom+Pole)

Well, I'm talking about a new pole. If you can find a used one in decent shape, all the better. As far as comparing a $200 and $250 pole, that extra $50 can make a huge difference, but I'll admit I haven't tried every pole out there. I'm mainly familiar with Gitzo and K-Tek. The K-Tek Avalon series is as low as I would go, but Gitzo is nice. I'm not knocking it.

Gitzo makes several poles that are inexpensive but good quality:
Fishpoles | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/7004/Audio_Fishpoles.html)

They have a carbon fiber pole for $150. You still need a shock mount and a cable.

I use Gitzo tripods, the best lightweight pole tripods made in the galaxy.

I haven't seen any better poles than Loon Audio's:
LOON AUDIO : Loon Boom latest boom and audio technology, including BaseMate, Wing and a full line of accessories (http://www.loonaudio.com/)

They completely disassemble. The coiled wired works better than used in other brands. They have some excellent features like non-rotating extension locks (like on Gitzo tripods), a wing base that is perfect for tansmitters, easy to clean and easy to change parts.

(I have nothing to do with the company, but I have seen the poles at many shows from their initial introduction up to this past summer.)

I haven't seen any better poles than Loon Audio's:
LOON AUDIO : Loon Boom latest boom and audio technology, including BaseMate, Wing and a full line of accessories (http://www.loonaudio.com/)

They completely disassemble. The coiled wired works better than used in other brands. They have some excellent features like non-rotating extension locks (like on Gitzo tripods), a wing base that is perfect for tansmitters, easy to clean and easy to change parts.

(I have nothing to do with the companies, but I have seen the poles at many shows from their initial introduction up to this past summer.)

I'll concur ... recently purchased a Loon 12' internal coil cabled pole and it's terrific!

I do like Gitzo, but I'm not a fan of the carbon fiber poles of theirs that I've tried. I know lots of people use them and like them, but for me, they flex way too much. I believe I've used that $150 carbon fiber Gitzo and no way would I buy it. The longer six section pole (Gitzo 3560) is much better, and is nice and long -- nearly 13 feet! -- but still flexes too much. This is the main reason I keep going on about the K-Tek Avalon series. Absolutely rock stiff. Only problem with those poles is they aren't quite long enough, topping out at about nine feet I believe. I'm not saying you can't get good sound with the carbon fiber Gitzos though. It's just a little harder, at least to me.

If you're looking for a basic boom pole.
Rode makes a good basic pole.
Rode | BOOMPOLE f/NTG-1/NTG-2/VIDEOMIC | BOOMPOLE | B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392860-REG/Rode_BOOMPOLE_BOOMPOLE_f_NTG_1_NTG_2_VIDEOMIC.html)

My next boompole would probably be a K-tek Avalon, but the Rode is great for the moment.

I love Ambient poles little more expensive, but extended to fifteen feet it still feels solid...

I have to vote against the Rode basic aluminum boompole - I had one for a while and when it was close to fully extended the pole would creak while bending. Cheap build quality overall.

I got a used Gitzo 557C, which is a carbon fiber uncabled pole, and have been very happy. It does flex with a zeppelin, but with a light mic in a small shockmount it does very well.

I'm looking at getting a Loon cabled pole after I get all that other stuff I've been wanting to get.

I have to vote against the Rode basic aluminum boompole - I had one for a while and when it was close to fully extended the pole would creak while bending. Cheap build quality overall.

I got a used Gitzo 557C, which is a carbon fiber uncabled pole, and have been very happy. It does flex with a zeppelin, but with a light mic in a small shockmount it does very well.

I'm looking at getting a Loon cabled pole after I get all that other stuff I've been wanting to get.

just to prove the point you can buy it cheap, then the right way. so going cheap is more expensive. yes I know it can be painful, but quality gear that isn't abused too badly will last a very long time and always do the job right. nothing worse then fighting gear to get the job done.

If you're looking for a basic boom pole.
Rode makes a good basic pole.
Rode | BOOMPOLE f/NTG-1/NTG-2/VIDEOMIC | BOOMPOLE | B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392860-REG/Rode_BOOMPOLE_BOOMPOLE_f_NTG_1_NTG_2_VIDEOMIC.html)

My next boompole would probably be a K-tek Avalon, but the Rode is great for the moment.

I myself ended up getting a K-Tek | KE-110CCR Avalon Series Aluminum Boompole | KE-110CCR (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406098-REG/K_Tek_KE_110CCR_KE_110CCR_Avalon_Series_Aluminum.html).

I had discussed it quite a bit prior to this post on this thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/all-things-audio/125654-boom-pole-xlr-cable-suggestions-3.html#post945852

Last month, we had a pretty big fire at my house. Fortunately everyone was alright, but there was a lot of damage. My K-tek was smoke damaged pretty badly and I sent it in to K-tek to have it looked at. Not only did they tell me ahead of time they would examine and clean for free, they actually replaced it for free as well. I am very happy with them.

Unfortunately, I had not had a chance to really use the boom pole yet and am not sure when I'll be able to as I have to replace my XH-A1 and many other things. I'm starting from scratch now - but at least I have insurance money to work with