tiered cake construction

The cardboard will be fine with proper support underneath. The issue will be that when lifting off the tier, the icing beneath the cardboard can and often does lift off with it, leaving some of that tier without icing.  I've heard that some people put coconut between the tiers, and others use powdered sugar.  I've also put a piece of parchment cut the same size as the cardboard.  However, I've still found that some buttercream will stick.

Good advice.  Here's a visual:

http://www.wilton.com/cakes/tiered-cakes/stacked-tiered-cake-construction.cfm

Are you transporting this cake?

You know, I think the cardboard does get soggy. I am going to raise my prices as soon as I feel like bothering with my website, and I think I will switch to the corrugated plastic circles, for my buttercream.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leah_s 

Anna, what do I have to do to get you on the SPS bandwagon? You want me to drive over there?

LOL!!! Please do! I am only 100 miles from Louisville. Bring a 5 tier wedding cake, with SPS, on the back of a moped, and while you are here, you can help me figure out how to arrange my bakery again, after I screwed it up, trying to make it "flow" better... I have been out there every night, and everyday, just staring and thinking.... Every time I get an idea, I realize, OH! I can't get the door open, if I do that! OH! I'll trip and die, if I do that! OH! If I do it that way, I'll fall into the oven and be scarred for life and have to wear a mask to keep from making my own children cry.

I don't use it because it is so hard to cut! I have splintered them trying to cut them! My tiers are about 4.75" high. I did use it on a wedding cake I had to transport 60 miles away, and I loved how secure it was, but I nearly cut a gash into my finger with my special "cake decorating" hedge clippers.  My husband is a shrieker, and he saw my finger in there, and shrieked so loud, I about peed, and jumped out of my skin, and cut through it crooked as H-E double sticks, and  splintered it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliciousDesserts 

Anna, there are some awesome tools for cutting. I use either my pipe cutter or a Han saw with a miter box. One cost me $6 the other $12 for the kit (saw & box). Also, coast comes in 1/4" increments.

Can I use my table saw? lol I can see the cut off flying right into my eye

I have a pipe cutter, miter box, hand saws in all size and spacing of teeth, and I just hate to cut those hard legs! I think I bought a scroll saw last year...(Or was that a dream? ) I had a coupon for a cheapo one at Harbor Freight, I think I bought it... Think that would work?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliciousDesserts 

Omg! Anna, now I'm drooling. A table saw?! And your complaining about cutting? Whatever!

Yeah, I bought it to cut the lumber to build my twins some sturdy bunk beds. I dabble in everything crafty, I carve wooden sculptures, build stuff, sew, crochet, paint, and do cakes. Oh, I enjoy pottery and furniture refinishing, too.

My husband has the table saw buried under a pile of other tools, with boxes stacked all around it. He never puts a tool where it belongs, either. He looked for the stud-finder for 4 hours the other day, to hang a shelf... I got tired of waiting, so I drilled a bunch of tiny holes in the wall until I drilled one and had the bits of the stud curl out. FOUND IT! then measured 18" to the next one ;-D .Pitiful!

The 9" legs are scored in 1/2" increments.  And if you could just make your tiers a wee bit taller, you can just use the precut 5" legs.  My hubby  used a chop saw, and occasionally a table saw to cut them for me when I needed something odd sized.  But mostly, I just learned to bake and Agbay my cakes so they came out to 4".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annabakescakes 

My husband has the table saw buried under a pile of other tools, with boxes stacked all around it. He never puts a tool where it belongs, either. He looked for the stud-finder for 4 hours the other day, to hang a shelf...

 

Put him on a diet.  NO MORE TOOLS until he has cleaned and organized the ones you already own. 

I have been helping to clean out a basement.  Took more loads to the dump than the owner wanted to at first, but then he got into the act and put up hooks to hold the bikes...so now he is actively sorting and I am just making neat bins with labels for all the good stuff.