I've been told that if you don't have a pole that's been soaked in creosote that you can sink a normal pole in the ground, wrap carpet around it and soak the carpet with diesel or used oil. Who has done either? Which works better? Any other recommendations?

No, I can honestly say, I have never been arrested for ground contamination.

I tried the rag soaked in burnt oil in a area with a pile of hogs and not one rubbed on the post. Maybe some folks have better luck than me but I think its a waste of time.

thirsty folks down here mix burnt oil with creosote but most of them use burlap instead of carpet

Why dont you make your own wood preservative by mixing tar with kerosine and painting it on your post

Same here........