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Sunday, April 8, 2012

How To Make a 3 Tiered Cake Stand For Less Than $10


Step 1. Find an assortment of gorgeous patterned plates in graduated sizes from your local Op shops and Garage sales for only $1! This step is important, you are doing these on the CHEAP remember!


Step 2: Find a gorgeous Mr. Fixit to make these for you while you are super busy making cakes.  Biting lower lip while concentrating is completely optional.


Step 2: Drill holes dead centre of each plate using a power drill and drill bits the same size as your stand screws. You need to do this using a little water on the plate, pressing down *very* slowly and steadily or something like this will happen:


This will very likely happen quite a few times actually, so it's best to practice on your not so best plates.

UPDATE!  Since typing this tutorial, we have discovered 'diamond drill bits' which get the drilling done much easier without any breaks.  These drill bits can be purchased at hardware stores.


Step 3: Your stand kit will come with several plastic O rings, a metal O ring and metal bolt. The bolt goes on the bottom, underneath the plate, along with the metal O ring. Then the bottom plate and a plastic O ring before you screw on the first gold stand. Make sense? See below.


Make sure you put all the plastic O rings in between the plates and stands as this protects the plate from the metal. Screw all stands in semi tightly and securely. Not 'He-Man' too tight or this might crack your plate!


Step 4: Wash everything thouroughly and admire your gorgeous new cake stands!


I prefer my plates to be mismatched but in the same color range.

They get HEAPS of comments, be prepared to take orders from your friends!  These also make gorgeous presents...and cheap ones too!

Cake stand parts:
Australian supplier:  My E Room  This is my cheapest outlet I have found at $4 per stand set.
USA supplier:  I Wonder Too  An average of $8 USD per stand set.
Etsy search engine brings up these.
Plates: Sourced from Op shops, freebie boxes at Op shops, Garage sales.  Nothing cost me more than $3.

57 comments:

  1. Oh wow these are gorgeous! Too bad I'm not so handy with power tools but this will definitely be bookmarked <3

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    Replies
    1. I'm not either...I could be iff I needed to, but I have a gorgeous Mr Fixit handy so I choose not to!

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  2. Love love love this! I'm been looking for one mismatched one for ages! Now, I can just make one myself!

    x Aliya
    www.hillsidestory.net

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  3. These turned out great! I've been wanting to do this for a while now. I'm having the darnedest time finding nice cheap plates.

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    1. Spend a couple of days just trawling every thrift/op shop you see and do the garage sales in your town on Saturday. You will come up with some great plates! Good luck!

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  4. what a clever idea, they are so pretty

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  5. So creative and gorgeous. I love the plates you selected for these. I need to make myself a couple of these. :D

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    Replies
    1. Ive made a few so far and intend on making a few more. I got a 5 pack of stands!

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  6. I have loved this idea for ages just not known where to get the stand parts. I want one as a fruit stand so u can put small delicate fruit on top and bigger solid ones down below. At least things like peaches and plums won't get bruised!

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    Replies
    1. Im glad my links helped! A fruit stand is a fab idea.

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  7. Amazing idea, outstanding result! Thank you for posting this.

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  8. I've been thinking about getting one of those. Thank you for showing how I can make one :D

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  9. Great idea and truly gorgeous stands!

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  10. They are SOOO beautiful! :)
    I want some too, and I will make for my sister and all my girl friends too. Thanks for sharing.

    I'm sure my Mr. Fix-it doesn't mind drilling the holes too, I'll tell him to wear shorts. ;)

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  11. I've been wanting to do this for ages, thank you for posting this tutorial!
    I actually ordered extra plates from my dinnerware set, so I can make a stand to match, slightly more expensive than acquiring random pretty plates. I will probably make some others for other purposes too though.
    In my internet searches, I saw someone suggest using a tiered stand on a small bathroom counter to save space. Neat idea if you can find plates that match your bathroom!

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    Replies
    1. Great idea on ordering more dinnerware plates. I did that for backup reasons, but may use a few of them for a cake stand!

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  12. I've made several of these now and sold some and they are fab.
    However I occasionally have problems with the drill bit not getting through the plates or the holes are not round enough but slightly chipped - any ideas
    WendyWoo x

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    Replies
    1. Wendym a diaomnd drill bit is much better. Bunnings might sell them...I'm off to look.

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  13. A diamond drill bit may work better. Love the idea. I have old plates that were my dads. Going to try this....

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    1. diamond drill bits are perfect, I am having trouble sourcing one tho. LMK how u go.

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  14. I really love this idea! I actually found some metal candle holders that I'd like to give this a try on at Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80239979/ They come in two sizes and would make a really cute 2 tier stand. Dumb question - has anyone tried this with metal plates? I don't think these candle holders are meant for food but that's nothing a little wax paper can't help! But I am not sure if you can use these kits on metal..any thoughts?

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    Replies
    1. If a drill bit can drill through it, then it should work. Maybe look for metal plates that are thin? Good luck!

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  15. This is the BEST IDEA EVER. Thank you so much for posting. I can't wait to get started. Your finished results look amazing!

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  16. Love this idea! I've been wanting to make some (get some) without spending loads of cash. I found a Canadian supplier for the cake stand parts and will start to scour thrift shops here. I rather like the IKEA plates Marianne suggested, too - very elegant looking! Thanks so much for posting!

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    1. Hello! I'm wondering which Canadian supplier you used? The cake stand parts are relatively inexpensive, but the shipping is killing me!

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  17. This is amazing. Thank you for the idea. It's perfect for the tea party I'm hosting. How long were your handles/fittings? There seem to be several sizes...

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  18. where do you guys get the hardware for the plates?

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  19. where do you guys get the hardware for the plates?

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  20. Yes were do you get the hardware for the plates?

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  21. As she mentioned above, My E Room on ebay is a great resource for hardware. Drill bits too.

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  22. Thanks so much for this post I will be making this. What a wonderful idea! New follower. http://newyearsresolutionexercise.blogspot.com

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  23. I love these beautiful cake & cupcake stands, I want to make everyone of them.

    Homeware is an online store that specialises in sourcing innovative and useful products ensuring each of our items are of superb quality.

    Cake Stand & Tableware

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  24. amazing im buying by boyfriend a drill just so we can do this!!!!

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  25. I appreciate your Idea .Thanks For Sharing !

    Cake Stand & Cheese Board

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  26. What a great idea... I am going to do this one....

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  27. Super sad can't find cake stand parts

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    1. They are all over ebay and amazon. Called cake stand fittings. You can get them easily under $1.50 each straight from China or Hong Kong. I ordered 20/$20 from amazon - they are being shipped from CA, but I know they are make in China.

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  28. Awesome! I'll try to make a cake stand tomorrow like you.

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  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. Could you tell me what brand of diamond drill bit you use? I ordered on ebay but it doesn't stay at a point I want it to. I searched on youtube and DeWalt brand seems to have the same problem, too. So I ordered BOSCH glass and tile bit but it says that it was designed for ceramic, not for porcelain. I believe my plates are porcelain.

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    1. Helps to put a piece of masking tape over the part where you start to drill to help keep the drill bit from slipping. You start at a 45 degree angle, then slowly straighten up the drill so you can drill straight down. Takes some practice.

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  31. was wondering, if you use the diamond drill bits, do you still have to use the water?

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  32. was wondering, if you use the diamond drill bits, do you still have to use the water?

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  33. I ordered 20 cake stand fittings on Amazon for $18 plus $2 shipping. You can find them for cheap on ebay as well.

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  34. these are absolutely gorgeous! thank you for sharing your diy craft. also, would like to know if these could easily be disassemble to make storing easier? thank you

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Thanks so much for commenting! I read each and every one, even if I am slow to respond sometimes!