'Mater Mortar' - Tomato Cannon

[Saxman]

I am interested in making a 'Mater Mortar" (Tomato Cannon) and want to know if anyone has succesfully made one. We have an annual Tomato('Mater) Festival and the idea came up. I've been appointed to investigate the topic so here I am.

I would think a PVC pipe @ 4" in diameter could be rigged to launch the average tomato, especially if you cut a cardboard wad the diameter of the tube and rammed that down the tube and dropped in a tomato. A blast of air should (in theory) launch the tomato downrange.

Does this sound reasonable or am I just swimming in marinara sauce?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[mark.f]

I would think more around the area of a 3" barrel for your average tomato.

You could use some 1-1/4" to launch the Roma sized ones.

[mark.f]

Totally uncalled for.

If somebody asks like a human being, (and also outperforms <I>your</I> grammar record, SpudStuff), then you should be willing to help them. You were new too, you know.

What is this going to be? Pneumatic or combustion? I think pneumatic would be best, (more controllable).

[MrCrowley]

well unless you like fried tomatoes
just make a simple 'over-under' with 1' of 4" sch40 and an elbow into a 1" or 2" ball valve that goes into 3' of 3" pipe.

it should be achievable aslong as you dont damge the tomato too bad when putting it in the barrel b/c it will fall to bits or not fly very well when fired.

EDIT:you could even use 2 1/2" as a barrel as ive got some 2 1/4" at home and fits our tomatoes good but ours might be smaller then the average American ones we're not into tomato carnivals that much jk