How to Make a Good Tennis Ball Mortar

Using the saw, cut the plastic plumbing pipe to a length of 3 feet. Saw slowly to ensure a straight clean cut and remove the plastic burrs that form on the edge of the cut surface. Leave a smooth cut line.

Glue the plastic cap on the 3-foot long plastic pipe, using the special glue to attach PVC and other plastic piping. Swab a medium amount of glue around the inside edge of the plastic cap and around the outside edge of one end of the plastic pipe and attach the 2 by inserting the pipe into the cap. Set aside for at least 3 hours to dry.

Drill ½-inch diameter hole in the middle of the plastic cap that was glued onto the end of the plastic pipe. Remove any plastic burrs left over from drilling.

Insert the end of the lighter into the hole drilled in the plastic cap and push into place until it will go no further. Seal the lighter in place using silicone sealant to create an airtight seal. Wrap duct tape around to hold the lighter in place. Create as tight a seal as possible to ensure proper firing of the tennis ball when the propellant is ignited.

Spray a generous amount of carburetor cleaner into the mortar barrel's chamber, getting the flammable substance as far down the mortar barrel as possible. Cap the end of the mortar barrel with your hand to keep the fumes inside and quickly insert the tennis ball. Push the tennis ball about 2 feet down the barrel, aim the tennis ball mortar and squeeze the trigger on the lighter to ignite the carburetor cleaner and fire the ball.