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abed
Junior Member
Joined: May 04, 2007
Posts: 97
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 Posted:
Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:22 am |
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I have a hard time cutting wooden dowels, is there anything that cuts them flat??? Also what do you use to cut the plastic dowels with??? thanks. |
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fondantfrenzy
Regular Member
Joined: Feb 16, 2008
Posts: 181
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Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:34 pm |
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My friend says she uses a knife, but one thing I use that i found that works the best but not perfect is garden pruners. i found a pair at the dollar spot at target for 1 dollar....Maybe a more expensive one would cut it better? |
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Texas_Rose
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 26, 2008
Posts: 892
Location: San Antonio, TX
Gallery Supporter Member
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Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:42 pm |
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I just use pruning shears. Not all pruning shears are the same, though...the ones with two metal blades work better than the ones with one metal edge and one plastic.
Lately I've been using drinking straws or those wilton plastic dowels. Drinking straws are super easy to cut  and the plastic dowels cut easily with a serrated knife. |
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Meg72
Newbie
Joined: Mar 09, 2007
Posts: 8
Location: Frisco
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Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:46 pm |
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I use plastic drinking straws also, but I use the larger Wilton plastic dowels for stacking more than 2 cakes just to be sure there's enough support. I've read on here before that someone uses the plastic straws for bubble tea since they are thicker and more durable, but I have no idea where to get them. |
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Limpy
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 147
Location: Canada
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Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:13 pm |
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The best thing ever for cutting wooden dowels is a dogs toenail clipper (unused of course). Gives a nice, sharp cut without any splinters or shredding. I use these when adding dowels to a tiered cake. I cut the dowels, slip them into straws, (so that the wood is not touching the cake) & then tier. Hope this helps.
p.s. this tip came from my master cake decorator instructor. |
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annacakes
Regular Member
Joined: Oct 09, 2006
Posts: 147
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Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:19 pm |
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Now, that is an awesome idea. So, you cut the dowels then the straws to go overtop? Are the straws exact same size as the dowels? |
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abed
Junior Member
Joined: May 04, 2007
Posts: 97
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Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:09 pm |
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thanks for all the replies. I will get some pruning sheers. And thanks for the tip on the straws with the wooden dowels. |
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banba
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 536
Location: Ireland
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:12 am |
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There is a woodworking item called a doweling jig which I think cuts dowels. I just use a small craft hacksaw and a chopping board. |
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pattigunter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 17, 2006
Posts: 42
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Birthday: Sep 28
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:35 am |
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I saw the note about where to get bubble tea straws. I ordered some last weekend from importfood.com. They were very cheap.
I watched Sugarshacks stacking dvd and she says thats all she uses. She cuts them with scissors. |
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DoniB
Forum Addict
Joined: May 11, 2007
Posts: 723
Location: Lincolnton, NC
Birthday: Sep 30
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:42 am |
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I use a set of PVC cutters. You can get them at Lowe's or Home Depot for between $10-25, depending on which ones you want. I have the heavy-duty orange metal ones, and I can cut dowels and PVC/plastic with them. They make a VERY smooth, flat cut, but do require just a bit of muscle. And I wouldn't use them for anything over 1/2".  I had them already for another hobby I do, but found that they work perfectly for doweling cakes, as well.  |
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leahs
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 19, 2007
Posts: 3444
Location: Louisville, KY
Birthday: May 29
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:47 am |
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I use SPS and don't have to cut anything. I bake to the height of the pre-cut legs. Works perfect because they come all the same height from the factory. |
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Limpy
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 147
Location: Canada
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:42 am |
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re the question about the dowels & straws. Yes, the straws are cut the same height as the dowels & then you slip the dowels inside the straws. I have found that McDonalds straws are the best. They are the same width as the wooden dowels. |
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annacakes
Regular Member
Joined: Oct 09, 2006
Posts: 147
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:13 am |
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Leahs....where can we get the SPS? |
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yh9080
Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 21, 2005
Posts: 515
Location: Central Alabama
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:48 pm |
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I use a pair of Fiskars pruning shears (purchased at Wal-Mart). Be sure to get the kind with the blades that are straight. Don't get the ones with the curved blades. These work like a dream for cutting dowels and were less than $10.00. |
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leahs
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 19, 2007
Posts: 3444
Location: Louisville, KY
Birthday: May 29
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:59 pm |
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You can purchases SPS from Oasis,  Global Sugar Art and if you can buy wholesale, directly from BakeryCrafts. |
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