The Best Leaf Blower We’ve Tested Is Ready for Halloween
Our top Ego pick is discounted, and our resident leaf blower expert demonstrates how to make a TP cannon.
Lowe's is currently offering a popular leaf blower at a discount, complete with an additional spare battery. This powerful device, tested and reviewed by WIRED contributor Sal Vaglica, has a secondary, more playful use. Sal demonstrates how to transform the Ego leaf blower into a DIY toilet paper cannon, perfect for decorating homes or entertaining children during Halloween.
The trick lies in the physics behind the blower's airflow. According to Saffron Wyse, an engineer specializing in fluid dynamics at Thornton Tomasetti, positioning the roll beneath the nozzle of the blower allows the upward-moving air to pull the paper into the powerful stream, creating the cannon effect. The design of the leaf blower can also impact performance.
Some models feature a wider, flat attachment, which Wyse suggests may provide a more optimal airflow pattern for the cannon. To assemble the cannon, start with a mini paint roller compatible with standard nap rollers. Secure a toilet paper roll onto the cage, using multiple layers of painter's tape and duct tape for a secure grip.
Position the roller beneath the blower's nozzle, about 3 to 4 inches away, and secure it with duct tape. Once assembled, pull the paper free from the roll, trigger the blower, and watch the toilet paper fly in a spectacular display.
Written by urgent.news from Wired's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
