Create Ping Pong Ball Cannon

Are you tired of playing dull games of ping-pong? Bored of hitting small plastic balls with a frail paddle? Why not launch ping-pong balls out of a make-shift cannon using everyday materials like hair spray and a paper towel core?

Things You'll Need

• Paper Towel Roll
• Duct Tape
• Sharp Pair of Scissors or Knife
• Grill Lighter
• Hair Spray
• Ping-Pong Ball

STEPS

1.) Seal end of the cardboard paper towel core with duct tape.

 

 2.) Poke a small hole in the center of duct tape using knife or scissors.

 

 3.) Slide the grill lighter through the hole in the duct tape.

4.) Slide the lighter back out a little so the duct tape forms a good seal around the lighter.

 5.) Spray the hair spray into the tube for two full seconds.

• Try not to soak the cardboard.
• The gas inside the tube will be ignited later.

 

 6.) Quickly drop the ping-pong ball into the tube. The ball should just fit in the tube.

 

 7.) Hold down the safety of the grill lighter, and pull the trigger to fire off the ball.

• It may take a few clicks of the lighter for the gas to ignite.
• This is until there is not enough free oxygen in the tube to fuel the flame.

 

 8.) Once the flame sparks, the ball will rocket out of the tube.

 

Tips

• If the ping-pong ball is much smaller than the width of the tube, it won’t sit snug inside and gas won’t be able to build up to launch the ball. If this is the case try using a smaller tube or a larger ball. A good seal is key in making the cannon fire properly.
• These instructions were inspired from Maxim Online. Visit their website at www.maximonline.com and search for “How to: Make a Ping-Pong Ball cannon” for images of the process.

WARNINGS

• Aerosols, such as hair spray, are highly flammable and extreme caution is recommended when operating the ping-pong ball cannon, or any other device using aerosols and a flame.
• When spraying aerosols and handling a flame; always operate outdoors and away from anything flammable.
• Do not inhale aerosols.
• When managing a projectile, never point towards anyone or any animals.
• Children, DO NOT attempt without adult supervision.