Hello all. I'm going to make a 4 tier cake but I'm a bit afraid of the center dowel that goes through all the tiers. Each tier will have a cake board underneath, and from my understanding that last dowel has to be sharpened and then it goes through. Wouldn't it be hard to get it through all the cake boards since they are quite think themselves? What's the best way to go about this? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!
I thought the same thing when I did this the first time. But I followed the advice I found on these forums and it was surprisingly easy. Sharpen the long dowel and use a hammer to tap it through each of the cardboard rounds. It goes right through easily and works great. I had to move the cake after assembly across the room and it stayed right in place. 
I read about the dowel-down-the-center on here for months before I was actually FORCED to try it because of the cake design. I was scared to death, but I'm tellin' ya, it works just like everyone says it does. That sharpened dowel goes thru the cardboards like soft butter! I kept my eyes open and EVERYTHING!! 
It's only scary the first time. I promise! 
Oh wow that's certainly comforting to know ! About how thick was the center dowel?
I just use the standard wilton dowels that you buy in a pack at the cake supply store or at micheal's. They are 12" long (perfect for a 3-tier cake .... just a little trimming and it's good to go!).
The cake I'm making will be about 24" in height.
Any ideas on where I could get a dowel about that long?
If we assume 4" tiers, that's a 6-tier cake that you're going to totally assemble, LIFT AND CARRY? 
THat's a pretty heavy cake. Are you sure you can handle that? If you decidde that's too much weight, you can assemble the bottom 3 tiers then finish assembly at the site. I do most of my cakes as "assemble at site". If the design is such that you do have to assemble the whole thing, be sure you have someone to help you and I'd recommend a rolling cart of some kind. (I have a hand-truck that converts to a flat-bed that works GREAT!)
If we assume 4" tiers, that's a 6-tier cake that you're going to totally assemble, LIFT AND CARRY?
THat's a pretty heavy cake. Are you sure you can handle that? If you decidde that's too much weight, you can assemble the bottom 3 tiers then finish assembly at the site. I do most of my cakes as "assemble at site". If the design is such that you do have to assemble the whole thing, be sure you have someone to help you and I'd recommend a rolling cart of some kind. (I have a hand-truck that converts to a flat-bed that works GREAT!)
haha yeah I'm gonna need to pump some iron in the gym before I carry that cake. It does worry me a bit. Actually, each tier is 6 inches in height. Just 4 tiers. It's going to be delivered in January and I'm really hoping that it's not slippery. Someone's going to help me carry it though, so I think it's going to be manageable to carry it in one piece. Hmm ... that cake boss episode where they transport 5 tier cakes with just one guy is seriously misleading haha.
Oh I see where you said it was 4 tiers in the OP. Ooops! Missed that! 
Even still, I'm glad that you have someone helping.
I watched Ace of Cakes once and saw one of the women delivering a cake by herself. She propped it on one knee with one hand while she opened the door by herself. This was NOT a small cake!!!! Now maybe she's more practiced than I am, but I'm on my couch shouting, "NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!" 
Oh I see where you said it was 4 tiers in the OP. Ooops! Missed that!
Even still, I'm glad that you have someone helping.I watched Ace of Cakes once and saw one of the women delivering a cake by herself. She propped it on one knee with one hand while she opened the door by herself. This was NOT a small cake!!!! Now maybe she's more practiced than I am, but I'm on my couch shouting, "NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!"
Haha, wow. I smell a new TV show from FoodTV entitled "Bodybuilding with Cakes"
Well, thank you everyone for the encouragement and advice. I feel much more confident now of doing this!
i'm in complete agreement with the surprising ease of the center dowel rod....works like a charm. As for the transport, we moved my daughters 4 tier and extremely heavy wedding cake by putting it on a 3' X 2' pice of plywood. this made it much easier to handle and support while transporting it.
Haha, wow. I smell a new TV show from FoodTV entitled "Bodybuilding with Cakes"
That's why I am always telling my 17 yr old, "no, I DON'T have to join a gym!" Here I am, hauling 50 lb bags of sugar/flour from the van to the kitchen; heftin' 25 lb cases of canned vegetables; lifting a 20qt mixer bowl full of icing; carrying 5 tier cakes across a parking lot and thru a hotel to set it up .... and SHE thinks I need to PAY some gym to get a workout! 
Hubby says I should contact that "dirty jobs" show and have that guy spend a day with me. Hubby's opinion is that "..... your job isn't "dirty" but I dont' think he'd be able to keep up with you!"
Amen to that Indybebi... i bet he couldnt keep up with you either
I don't think I could keep up with indy 
But I'd try my darndest and pass out doing it
Good idea on calling Mike Rowe to come help!!! Do it, Indy!!
As for carrying a completely assembled 3+ tier cake...Globalsugarart sells cake boxes. They are awesome!! I have the 20"x20 box and it has saved me in the past. There are handles cut out in the top edges of the box to make carrying easy. It's also easy to lift the bottom and carry with 2 people.
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