BANKITO, BOW
"Bankito" is Cebuano dialect for a step stool. In this post, I explore in more ways than one, the use of this step stool.
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I just made a “bankito.” This miniature version of the “banko” is built explicitly for use by kids and toddlers. Aside from sitting on it, they can be a step stool for when they’ll need to go up the sink level to brush their tiny teeth. And when they grow older to not needing it, this “bankito” is repurposed for a laundry stool.
The build is simple. It is just four pieces of timber that are butt-jointed – nothing more. Hence, if you have never done any woodworking before, this is a perfect thing that you can make and be proud of.
After the arch, I sanded all the pieces before assembly because it is easier to grind them than when they’re all put together. I also ran a round-over router bit just enough to knock off the sharp edges, thus inviting you to touch and feel it. Don’t run the router and then sand because you’ll make the edges pointy again.
Piece them all in. Tack them tight with a tacker to steady the pieces until the glue dries. Stain and apply coats of polyurethane. Congrats.
My version is finicky to follow only because of the angle cuts. I slanted the cuts for aesthetics. To complement the slants, I beveled the legs equal to the slopes. Thus, I had a leg that sat flushed to the floor and the underside of the top ledge. The cross member comes in for a tight fit too.
I fiddled with putting in a notch for a handhold to grab it by, but a hole will only mar the excellent overlook of the wood’s long grains. After all, the piece is small enough to grab it all in one fell swoop. So, nada. But I insisted on the arched leg. Isn’t that something? The arch cuts the boxy, boring feel, and there’s this artistry kind of a thing going on in it.
When you get to this part, take a break. A hot brew is always best in its first minutes of life. Or a cancer break, perhaps. It wouldn’t hurt to take one piece now and the next when the next project comes along.
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DOUGLAS REY B. BERIDO
drberido@yahoo.com | Kagudoy Road, Basak, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, The Philippines