How to Make a Tennis Ball Launcher
There are very few things that say “loads of fun” more than loading up a homemade cannon with a random object, and send that thing flying through the air. Tennis ball launchers are useful for tennis practice, although you can use a homemade launcher to chuck tennis balls through the air. Here’s an easy way to make your own tennis ball launcher.
Tools
Tennis ball launchers are usually found in tennis courts, and are often used for practice drills. The launchers used in tennis courts have to be of professional quality to be effective, so home-made launchers are a no-no in tennis clubs. To make your own tennis ball chucking cannon, you need the following simple household items:
Six tall tin cans (like the ones used to store vegetables), with a 2 5/8″ diameter
One tin can (like the ones used for juice), with a 2 5/8″ diameter
Can opener
Nail punch
Duct tape
Butane or commercial lighter fluid
Lighter
Steps
To make your tennis ball launcher, follow these steps:
Open the top and bottom parts of all the tall tin cans. Clean the insides of the cans thoroughly.
Pierce six small holes on one end of the smaller tin can with a punch. Shake all the contents out through the holes. Do not open the other end of the can.
Pierce a small hole on the side of the smaller can.
Assemble the cannon by joining all seven cans together with duct tape, with the smallest can acting as the base.
Wrap the cannon with two or three layers of duct tape.
Firing the Cannon
To fire the cannon, follow these steps quickly and in order:
Add a quarter of an ounce of lighter fluid into the smallest can, and swish another quarter of an ounce of lighter fluid around the barrel of the cannon.
Place a tennis ball inside the barrel.
The cannon should be in a safe position. Do not point the cannon to the direction of another person or an animal. The safest position would be to prop the cannon straight up.
Hold a lighter to the hole. The pressure from heated gases, as well as the heat from the bottom can, will send the tennis ball airborne.
As long as you fire the cannon safely, you can have lots of fun with your homemade tennis ball cannon. Just make sure to fire it in an open area, and don’t aim the cannon at people, animals, or property.