Tennis ball cannon

When I say, "back in the day", it's getting pretty far back. Nowadays, a teenager’s time is filled with Internet and targeted afternoon television. Back in the day, my mother said she walked uphill both ways to school in the snow but that just didn't seem logical. But, back in my day, time was spent just looking for something to fill an afternoon void. Experimenting with bugs: a rollypollie fits perfectly in a .177 caliber pellet rifle. Sometimes, the "experiments" were mean, dangerous, illegal or just downright immoral. Ninety percent of the time it would have something to do with a projectile.

 

Many times I have thought about putting down some of these stories to share but, then I think no, I'm lucky I did not get hurt or kill myself. The majority of them ended in an ouch then but, a really good chuckle now.

 

I decided I would write a "how to" on; "Making a tennis ball cannon" because, the main component is no longer available. In reality, this toy is no more dangerous than the potato cannons seen around nowadays. I suppose, that the potatoes' propellant would have made an ever better accelerant.

I can't be credited with the invention of this cannon but, I did make many modifications far beyond the scope of this article. I found instructions on how to make a "tennis ball cannon" on a Usenet newsgroup.

Supplies:

Duck tape

a tennis ball

denatured alcohol

fireplace lighter

(3) 1970's "tin", not aluminum soda can.

can opener

Preparation:

First you will want to take these antique soda cans and destroy all three.

1. On the top can you want to make a cylinder. So, cut out the top and the bottom of the can with an electric can opener.

2. On the middle can you want to make a very leaky cup. So, cut out the top of the can with an electric can opener to make a cup. Then, lets make that cup very leaky. Take your manual can opener and cut 6 wedges around evenly in the bottom of your cup.

3. Finally, the bottom can. Cut out the top smooth and make a cup out of your can. About a 1/2" up from the bottom of your can make a pin-hole in the can.

Assembly:

You can make anything out of duck tape and it will work. It's time to build your cannon.

1. Simply, tape the bottom can to the middle can and then tape the bottom can and the middle can to the top can.

Firing:

Now that your cannon is assembled, it's time to see what she can do.

1. Place cannon flat on the ground pointing upwards. Stay clear of obstructions.

2. Load one cap full of denatured alcohol in to your cannon.

3. Drop a tennis ball you don't mind losing into your cannon.

4. Get as far away as possible from your cannon and reach out with the fireplace lighter and touch the pinhole.

5. Bye, bye tennis ball.

Right about the time I found how to make the tennis ball cannon, those old tin cans went out with the vacuum tubes. I spent a lot of time searching for a replacement for the old tin can. Some things kinda worked, others didn't but, none worked half as well as that old can. Not PVC, the tennis ball can it's self, vegetable cans, absolutely nothing.

So, if your willing to search out and find 3 tin soda cans and destroy them, I'll discourage you right now and tell you‚ go out and by a paint ball gun. They are much easier to point and shoot than your cannon. Yes, I fired my cannon at my friends and they returned fire. A major problem with the tennis ball cannon is that it tends to leave the barrel on fire. Makes a great spectacle at night but the neighbors get annoyed when it lands in their yard.