Have used pillars before to stack layers, but never on top of each other...must dowels always be used to stack?? Would they just stand up if iced, put on cake boards, and just stacked on top of each other?? HELP!! =)

You should ALWAYS use dowels and cakeboards to stack. It's not the cake that supports the upper tiers, but the support system.

Make sure each tier has it's own cake board the same size as the tier. Some use wooden dowels, some use bubble tea straws. I use straws because unlike the dowels they are:

a) easier to cut to size
b) won't absorb moisture from the cake and warp
c) don't displace cake with push into it

I think there's a formula that helps calculate how many to use based on the size of the tier, but too many will make your cake unstable. In a 6" tier, I think I use 4. In an 8" tier I'll use 6 I think.

There's quite a number of posts here on stacking.

You might want to read this thread:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-603925.html

It is the SPS - which is great.

I personality don't like dowels, they displace the cake, and I have had a couple of disasters because of them. I like bubble tea straws, the cake goes into them and tend to work better for me. If you are stacking straight up, I would also suggest foam core or something other than cardboard. The cardboard absorbs the moisture. HTH

I wish I would have read this posting before I made this 3 tiered cake for a baby shower today. I put lollipop sticks on the bottom layer (10'' 8" 6") and I noticed a bulge on the bottom tier. I boxed the cake and got it to the shower opened the box and my heart sank. The bottom layer totally blew out. I was so embarrassed, all my hard work down the drain. The top two laayer were still presentable so I was able to put that on the table and hide the bottom in the fridge. I must buy bubble tea straws NOW

I am so sorry Sugarbearof3! Lollipop sticks, can absorb moisture, so not always good for stacking, especially 3 tiers. But, no matter which method you choose, don't give up, I guess that is how we learn!! (at least I did ~ the hard way LOL)

I use SPS and have delivered up to 3 tiers fully assembled. This is while going over bumpy roads, railroad tracks, hills, etc. Very sturdy system!

Ok -- I must not be reading something right. I don't understand what the hole in the cardboard does?
Nothing get pushed through it right?
Thanks.

thank you all...i actually went on youtube to see a few demos on things i needed a little help with...im gonna practice a few things first before i start with actual customers...=) thanks cakesters...

[quote="funtodecorate2"]Ok -- I must not be reading something right. I don't understand what the hole in the cardboard does?
Nothing get pushed through it right?
Thanks.[/quote]

The peg on the SPS plate goes into the hole.

Which is why you use the peg to *make* the hole in the first place.

It's just a small hole, once you look at the plate it will all be perfectly clear!

I just found the link to the Push-in pillar construction:
http://www.wilton.com/cakes/tiered-cakes/push-in-tiered-cake-construction.cfm

bubble tea straws!

i live in british columbia canada (very small town!) where can i purchase these straws? any direction would be greatly appreciated!

I get them on ebay. They are pretty cheap, and I think they are called boba straws.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320534602442&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

thank you so much! i really appreciate it!