AThe dowels will not bend the cardboard.

AUm... SPS ia a proper name of tbe Bakery Crafts system. As far as I know they don't make a 16" leg. Legs DO come precut in 4", 5", 7" and 9" lengths.

ALeah_s, the poly dowels that I use are the GSA brand and they are 16" long and have groves internally that lock into the plates of the SPS just like the bakery craft ones do. They are thinner than the Bakery Craft ones so therefore much easier to cut with just a kitchen knife and I can customize the height of them for each cake.

Hey ladies (guys too!)  We use the EZ cut pillars,I think from Bakery Crafts.  You can cut them with sharp scissors or with garden shears...That way you can customize to the height of each cake...