I used skewers instead of dowels on the top two tiers of my 3 tiered cake. 8", 6" and 4" I ran out when I doweled the 8" then used skewers even the one going down the center of the cake is a skewer is this safe I heard of some cc members using them but they seemed thinner than dowels hope the cake doesn"t fall apart
Sure, I have heard of lots of people using them. Some use them in conjunction with straws, for double stability.
Theresa 
The problem with skewers is that they are absorbent, so if you cake is very moist or will be standing for a while they absorb the moisture and start to bend. A friend of mine found this out the hard way on a wedding cake once!
Thick straws do work great though.
hth
Diane
Didn't even think of the absorbency problem. That's probably another reason why people use the straws in conjunction with them, right?
Theresa
If you have a Chinese or Vietnamese market in your area, you can pick up some bubble tea straws for like a buck for 50. They have a much wider diameter than regular drinking straws and are quite sturdy. I've been using them for awhile and love them! You can also order them online.
I would not use skewers because of their very small diameter.
When it comes to straws I have a confession, I really like the Jack-in-the-box milkshake straws! A couple extra come home with me each time. I only make a few tiered cakes, so it's not like I am using a lot, and I just couldn't find any in the stores like it. 
Diane
LOL Diane, you are funny! I promise, I won't tell Jack! 
oh no I am so scared now!!!!!!!!!!!! the cake it's standing still it has been in the refrigerator since last night! should I worry?
can you take it apart and add straws to it? Just place them in where the dowels are?
At this point I would not worry about it since the cake supporting the most weight is dowelled. There really is much less weight on the top. I would just watch it unless it can easily be redone. I'm sure it will be fine. People have obviously used them many times with no problems.
Diane
When it comes to straws I have a confession, I really like the Jack-in-the-box milkshake straws! A couple extra come home with me each time. I only make a few tiered cakes, so it's not like I am using a lot, and I just couldn't find any in the stores like it.
Diane
But can I get the straws without the milkshakes? That is the question! My hips don't need more milkshakes--LOL!
Is there a name brand of straw that is really durable at cheapo stores like Walmart?
I get iced tea - zero cals...I save all my cals for cake of course. I just help myself to the good straws on the way out!
lol
Diane
I would be afraid of the skewers because they seem to splinter when you break them and I wouldn't it to end up in the cake. 
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