i did a birthday cake for my son this past weekend,my first stacked cake using dowels. it was a birthday cake for him and a practice cake for me,so i wasnt worried if it didnt work out (leaning or falling over or whatever) it worked out ok, but the only thing was cutting the dowels.i was trying to cut them with a knife,but it took forever!! i think i remember reading a while back that there was a tool that cut them really easy(i think it was a pipe cutter). does anybody remember if thats what it was or what else i can use to cut them?
thanks alot!!
bren

I've seen those pipe cutters....they cut right through pvc. That's probably what it is.

You can cut dowels with pruning shears too.

I really like the disposable white plastic dowels that Wilton sells. You cut them with a serrated knife, and they're wide enough that they're fairly stable.

i guess i haven't seen the white plastic dowels that wilton makes,i have to go look again at hobby lobby.thanks again for your replies,i have to get either the pruning shears or the pipe cutter to cut the wooden dowels i already have.
thanks

This might sound crazy and maybe a little gross - but it used only for this - it will work out fine. "DOG NAIL CLIPPERS" They cut right through and don't leave any jagged edges. Just don't get them confused with the ones for the doggies.

Bandsaw

Mike

i never would have thought of "dog nail clippers". they must work like the pipe cutters,huh? thats an idea! mike, im not sure what a bandsaw is,it it easy to use?

Ha Sandz you had the same idea as me! I use the dog clippers for my dowels.

Funny thing is, when i bought them, hubby got all excited (like a kid) because he thought I was finally letting him have a dog! Poor guy was crushed to find YET ANOTHER cake related thing! lol

rachet action pruning shears from hardware store....

I used the pruning shears BEFORE I discovered (thanks to sugarshack's Successful Stacking DVD) bubble tea straws. So much easier!!!

Yep, straws and scissors!

I am running out to get some dog nail trimmers thats a great idea!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

Clip with scissors!

Easy peasy and uber sturdy!!

I've never made a stacked cake, but I have used 3/8" wooden dowels to make candy topiaries. I have a rechargeable Dremel and use a cutting disk cleanly cut through the dowels. It's wonderful. (If you don't know what a candy topiary is, click on my Flickr! link to see them).

I don't know if it's worth it to buy a Dremel just to cut dowels. But if you're one of those gadget-loving craft people like me and happen to have one, here's another use for it!

I use cable cutters from the hardware store.

scroll saw...it's kinda like a sewing machine, but it has a blade in it instead of a needle.

What the heck is Bubble Tea and where do I find the straws?

Bev

yea, more info on the 'straw' pls...

Sheesh Sharon.. You are really pushing those straws..

I second the dog nail clippers! Just be sure to get the one that cut like scissors... not like a guillotine (they always end up angled). I also love my pvc cutter for dowels when I can find my nail clippers (the pvc cutter is HUGE and hard to lose )

thanks sharon! i have the same question as some the previous posters, where can you get bubble straws?also,my dh brought me home a cake decorating book from the library the other day (by toba garrett) and in that book she says she uses lollypop sticks,has anybody else used those? just wondering.

thanks again everybody!!!!

I bought a Greenlee plastic pipe cutter at Home Depot. It was $12.97. I heard about that on another thread here. The only thing is if you go to Home Depot to buy this particular one, it is in the electrical department. Haven't used it yet but will soon since my daughter wants a stacked cake for her birthday.