Thanks! Question, so I couldn't hot glue separator plates on each end? Are you sure all PVC pipes are "safe"? Also, I've seen several cakes that are sat on plant pedestals etc. I think the glass candle holders are safe. IF it's glass I figure all one has to do is wash it. Look at these gorgeous cakes:

http://www.designmeacake.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/weddings/.pond/glass.JPG.w560h1081.jpg

http://www.designmeacake.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/cakes/.pond/grapes.JPG.w560h1128.jpg

http://www.designmeacake.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/cakes/.pond/peastower.JPG.w560h1035.jpg

You said the candle holder fell, did you use dowels and a plate to support the weight? I've seen a lot of cakes that have used creative & heavy cake toppers.

I think there are different grades of PVC pipe, tht you have to ask if it is for water. I don't know that much about it, but I think I read somewhere that you had to have the food safe pipe, I know that some people use it for rolling pins also. Check at the hardware store for pipe that is safe for plumbing, ie water. Then it should be okay for cake stands.

Yes, that's true, you need PVC that's safe for water.

Regular glass should be okay, but be careful of things like leaded crystal.

I suppose when in doubt, put some kind of safe separator between the questionable material and the food.

Thanks for all the info!

ok, this is going to sound dummy but bear with me Im still a newbie....on that stand listed for global sugar....I see 3 plates and one center piece...how is this asssembled?

I mean how does this one center piece hold all that cake? anyone have pictures as to how this works? Im a visual person...

THANKS!!!

That stand is actually 2 separate pole pieces. 1 pice screws into the base plate, thenyou set the middle plate on and screw the second pole in to secure it, then screw top plate onto the top threads. Voila complete stand. They work good as cupcake stands too.

i took Bronwens reindeer class, i dont think she takes the stand back. My hubby was very eager to see the internal structure but there is one peice we have yet been able to find. But dray your self a stick figure sketch, with rough measurements noted and go to the DIY plumbing store, they will be able to help you.

Morning Ladies! I started with Bronwen's 3D chef class and the possiblities for PVC are endless. The Flange is what is screwed to the board, usually 2 of the 4 possible screws are all that is needed. If you want to get the angle directly from there, put a wood wedge under the flange and then screw it all down to the board. Watch your flanges, there are several types. Galvanized flanges cost a LOT more and you have to cover them anyway, so look for the non-galvanized and they will be cheaper.

The Flange is threaded, so you need a threaded connector to go into it, then cut and fit your PVC pipes to fit. Typically, for a persion, I start with 2 flanges (1 for each leg, then 90degrees for hips, connect to a T to go up for torso, an X at the top, to put a head on top, and pipes out for arms. Then 90s or 45s for shoulders, elbows, and wrists if needed.

There are several sizes of PVC 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, and CPVC pipe is smaller than 1/2 inch but the regular store doesn't carry an X connector for that. Once you choose a PVC pipe size, you'll have to get connectors and flanges to match. The 1/2 inch CPVC and 1/2 inch PVC flanges are the same though. PVC is food safe, just clean it before you use it.

Note: Fondant does not stick well to PVC pipe, but Modeling chocolate sticks to it well.

I still dont get it! When you make a pvc structure, what kind of board are you screwing the initial flanges to- a fiberboard? it must need to be 1/2 inch thick, I suppose?? Do you screw anything from the underside, or just drill it straight down from the top?

Hi, I use an mdf board to screw the flange into. My husband, who cuts it for me says that he uses a 3/8" think, or a 1/2" would do as well. The screws are through the top. Then from there you screw in your male adapter and then the pipe itself. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info.

Thanks Everyone!! I just started making cakes but was looking for this type of information

ok i've prepared myself to look like an idiot with these questions:

1) if you're building a structure for something like a person, do you complete the structure first and then fit the cake on in pieces, or add the cake as you build the structure?

2) if you want to build shape onto the pvs pipe for the legs, arms, etc. do you use cereal treats and then cover in modeling chocolate or fondant?

3) what would make cereal treats stick to pvc; do you use melted chocolate as "glue" or do the treats adhere well on their own?

4) if using copper pieces, do you first cover with plastic wrap or foil?

someone please help! thanks so much!

THanks, SweetThingBlackOrchid for the answers! Now if I may bother you for some more.....


-If you don't recommend using cereal treats to build up legs, etc, do you use all modeling chocolate or fondant? Wouldn't that get too heavy and fall off?

-When doing the round underside of something, like a sphere shape (or a bum lol) what's the best thing to use so that gravity doesn't get to it?

On Sesame Street Challenge, I saw Mike McCarey (sorry if I spelled it wrong!) use copper for some part of his structure but he covered it with something....does anyone know what that was? Whatever it was it was white, not like an icing though, more like a tape

BosCakes-

While we don't use cereal treats....try it you may be ok with it-alot of designers use them. We have 2 options that we use in lieu of treats.
option 1. Use a wider PVC pipe so that it occupies the space that heavier fondant or modeling chocolate would.
option 2. This option really takes a skilled hand or a brave soul. We use hollowed out limbs. We either make them from fondant/gumpaste combo and hollow them out a bit as they dry - or mold them around PVC/other suitable objects then slide it off to use (you have to spray whatever you "mold around" with non stick first.

We would still wrap a thin layer of fondant around the PVC pipe that is the "skeleton" of our structure. Let that dry. We then take the somewhat hollowed out limb, slide it over the PVC skeleton and royal ice it to the "body".

When doing the underside/underbelly - You should have frosted the cake (crumb coat/dirty iced) before applying the fondant....the fondant will stick to it...believe it or not. If it doesn't you may have your fondant too thick (roll it thinner). Your frosting may have dried out a bit (spritz it with a little water). If all else fails, use royal icing to make it stick....royal icing is the duct tape of the cake world.

Not sure what Mike McCarey used (didnt see it). Might be white duct tape. Hope that helps.

thank you so much for taking the time to reply!! My first cake with a structure like this will be for my birthday, so if it doesn't work out no one will be upset but me!! thanks again..will post pics!

SweetThingBlackOrchid, thanks for the info about modeling chocolate and royal icing. I'm doing another pvc stand for this year's Austin show and when I googled info on RKT etc, I came up with this thread. Took me awhile to even realize it's one I started!

For the record, I did successfully build the stand I initially asked about out of pvc. There's a pic of the naked dummies on the pvc stand on the page with all of the other photos of the cake here: http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/cakes/2010-feb-alienfilmfestival.html#floors

The covering around that one was simple because all of the pvc pointed upwards, so I made fondant covers that sort of floated around and never had to bear any weight. Very stable and low-risk.

This year I'm doing stuff that sticks out at the sides, and part of the pvc frame will be supporting gigantic pastiallage bits, so there's inherent flexibility and exposure and all kinds of issues, so it looks like modeling chocolate is the way to go. I made some up today and put it on, and so far it's working wonderfully.

We'll see how the 32" figure with a pvc skeleton turns out once he has his rkt and chocolate on...for him I had to use my blowtorch and sand to bend some of the pipe. A preview photo of that is on my blog here: http://kimberlychapman.livejournal.com/612254.html

Thanks!

Thank you guys for sharing!!!

Thanks k8memphis and jlynnw!!!! Now my next challenge is to get my husband to make me this Next cake will be a fabulous 4th of july cake for the big annual party we go to.

BTW I posted some shots and tips on how I made another PVC frame, this time shaped like a walking person:

http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/cakes/2011-feb26-wolverinecake.html#planning

And I heard on a podcast that if you wrap the PVC in foil you can use the blowtorch without scorching.

Awesome Wolverine construction and deconstruction!

The SPS systems are far too expensive. Here in South Africa they're not even a available anywhere. Best is to get husband or handman to make some screw in system for you out of pvc pipe and plastic boards. i am SO over cardboard plates. But they need to be disposable - it's very difficult to get all your little bits back afterwards.