Dowel Through All The Layers/boards

Decorating By mikaza Updated 26 Jul 2006 , 12:01pm by mikaza

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mikaza Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 1:13am
post #1 of 10

Hey guys

When I make a multi-tiered cake, I usually assemble it on-site, and put 5 wooden dowels between each layer--but I have never put a dowel that runs through then entire cake, and through each board.

Do I need to cut a hole in the center of each board before placing the cake on and decorating? Do I just hammer the support in from the top once everything is done? I'm worried about the hammering collapsing or bending the boards rather than pushign through them.

THANKS!

9 replies
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leily Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 1:16am
post #2 of 10

I only use a dowel through all tiers/boards if I am transporting it while stacked. If you are assembling at the site then I wouldn't worry about it.

HTH

Leily

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JosieP Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 1:26am
post #3 of 10

mikaza - I had the same worry when I constructed my one and only wedding cake. It was three tier and I transported it without a center dowel. I, too, wasn't sure what to do. I had read that people just pound it through the cake boards, and that seemed like it could only lead to a disaster. Let me know what you try!

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leily Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 1:38am
post #4 of 10

I have "pounded" more like gently tap a sharpened dowel through and it seems to defy all logic and go through without damage.

Just make sure you sharpen the end of the dowl sharp, pencil sharpener works well.

Others also cut a hole in the center of their board before they decorate. Just make sure you make it a bit bigger than your dowel so you don't have to worry about getting your holes lined up exactly, and your dowel will still go through.

HTH

Leily

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ChrisJ Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 1:44am
post #5 of 10

I do as leily --- sharpen the dowel with a pencil sharpener so it looks like a dagger and then tap it in with a hammer or meat mallet. It always goes right through, even through extra thick cake boards.

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mmdd Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 1:48am
post #6 of 10

I sharpen a dowl with a pencil sharpener thats kept in my cake stuff and I tap it down through the center until it reaches the bottom. I have a small tack hammer I use for this.

Good question to ask!!

BTW, if you're about to try this, good luck!

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candyladyhelen Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 2:09am
post #7 of 10

If you are assembling on site, you don't need to pound a dowel through all tiers. And it does work with no problems!

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kayscake Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 5:39am
post #8 of 10

I would be the one to cut the holes ahead of time and then insert my dowel rod this works pretty good has i check each layers as i asemble the cake, the only problem that i have had is the cake settling during transport and the rod poked through the top of the cake slightly.

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emmascakes Posted 25 Jul 2006 , 6:00am
post #9 of 10

I make holes in each board using a corkscrew and then start by pushing the dowel through the bottom tier so that it's poking out from the bottom cake. Then I lower each subsequent tier down on top of the dowel. I then decorate round the base of each cake as usual. It does take a lot of worry out of moving the cake.

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mikaza Posted 26 Jul 2006 , 12:01pm
post #10 of 10

thank you guys--so I guess either technique I thought about will work--now I just have to try them!!

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