I “secretly” made one of these in 8th grade shop class. The shop teacher, still remember his name, Dallas Mackey, a Marine from the Korean War, had to have known. I used it for years after as a tire thumper. Lathe turned Hickory.
My grand father was a bondsman who from time to time as a reserve Deputy Sheriff had to collect bond jumpers. His legacy to me includes three of them.
You were lucky. My shop teacher wouldn’t let us turn them out on the lathe.
Last time I checked you could still buy “Tire Thumpers” at some truck stops.
A two foot piece of 3/4 inch ID pipe also works well.
I have always preferred to use a hammer. Three senses get a more amplified result: sound, feel, and sight. It’s heavier mass at the end of it, striking a very small area would amplify the sound of the thump. The amplified sight and feel of the hammer strike help make up for the muffled sound if the engine is running (and if in a lot with other trucks running nearby).
Sub-zero temps can make a tire even harder, therefore I would swing the hammer harder.
With a 24oz ball peened hammer, and the high pressures truck tires are at, I could usually detect one that was as little as 10 pounds low.