Can anyone suggest the best way to construct a multi tier cake?? It seems like everyone has different opinions on this and I have yet to find a way to do it that I feel comfortable with the stability. I don't want to put the tiers together at the site, I would rather construct it before hand. Also, if you use cardboard bases on each tier how do you hide the little gap between each of the tiers? I have never been able to figure this out!!!!

Thanks so much for the advice. This is probably going to sound silly, but when you use bubble straws do you use cardboard plates under each tier still? It seems like some of the explanations I have read make is sound as if they don't use plates but I can't see how this could work. Maybe it is just me!!!

Forgot one thing!!! How far apart do you put bubble tea straws, is it the same as if you were using dowels?

I also don't use cardboards ever. I cut my own circles from foam core.

Foam Core: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6614036.html

I don't measure, I eyeball it. For example, if I am stacking a 6 inch on top of an 8", I am going to as accurately as possible, place about 4 straws in a circular pattern.

i use the bubble tea straws and foam core board as per this exceptional dvd that i highly recommend

http://www.sugaredproductions.com/Successful_Stacking_DVD.html

i have ordered the sps system and plan to try it out on my next tiered cake to see how i like it as it has rave reviews here on cc.

SPS every cake, every time.

Easy, sturdy, cheap, disposable.

Thanks so much for your quick and informative responses, you don't know how much I appreicate it!