How to build a Golu Padi?

So Our little one is 4 and we wanted her to experience the same fun we had growing up (Golu and Sundal of course) and keep up the tradition. So let me get straight to the point. We could not find any thing close that could be used as a Golu Padi. On top of that I had specific requirements (as far the dimensions). So the best option was to build one.

I had no clue where to start. A quick google search did yield some good idea. Most of them suggested using step raisers. If you are looking for something small, then the step raisers will be a good option. But if you need one to cover a specific area and height, then your "off-the-shelf" options are less to none. If you have few hours in hand and little patience, then there's nothing better than a hand made Golu Padi.

Let me walk thru the steps to build your own Golu Padi.

Here are the pre-requisites. This should help in calculating the materials you will need.

1. Measure the length, width and height (of the tallest step) where you want to place the Golu Padi. 
2. Decide the number of steps you need. 
3. Divide the height by number of steps. This will give you the height between each step. If you want to place the steps at different heights, you can do so. 
4. Decide the width you need for each step. 

Here are the measurements I used.

• Height of the tallest step - 4 feet
• Length - 4.8 feet (56 inches)
• Width - 4 feet
• Width of each step - 12"
• 5 steps for the Golu Padi

Now the required materials. All materials were purchased from Lowes. I did check out Home Depot. But I felt the material quality was better at Lowes and the folks were very helpful in choosing the materials.

• 1x4x8ft (7 Numbers - I used Pine for the skeleton from Lowes at $9.13 per piece. You may want to get 1 or 2 more in case there is a mess-up). 
• 1x12x4ft (5 Numbers for the steps at $9.34 per piece. This is pine as well. There are high end wood as well if you need.)
• Wood Screws (Grip-Rite 1-lbs #6 x 1-1/4-in Bugle-Head Black Phosphate Phillips Drywall Screws - $6.47. This comes in a box. Lowes Item Number # 112597)

• Drill (will make the job little easier) or Philips / star type screwdriver 
• Sanding sponge (for wood). Get the medium

• Hand Saw (Stanley Clamping Miter Box with Saw - $15. Lowes Item Number # 48759). The clamping miter box is very helpful in getting a straight cut. I recommend it. 

• Stanley-National Hardware 4-Pack 0.5-in x 1-in Zinc-Plated Flat Braces - 2 packs.
  
• Ruler / Scale
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Level
• A helper if possible

Now lets get started. The first step is to measure and mark the wood for cutting.

1. Mark the length for the bottom frame (which is 56") on a 1x4x8ft piece. Cut it straight and sand it to remove any bristles. We will need 2 of them. So do the same on another 1x4x8. Mark them 1 and 2. Keep the other halves of the wood. We will use it for the smaller verticals.
2. Now lets mark the spots where the vertical supports need to be screwed on to pieces 1 and 2 from Step 1. The length between each vertical is determined by dividing the total length minus clearance of about 1" on both ends by the number of steps. Even though the thickness of the 1x4x8 wood is about 3/4", I have marked the clearance as 1" just to give some moving space during assembly. You can go with 3/4" clearance if needed. Adjust the calculations as needed. So in my case its (56" - 2")/ 5 = 10.8". The vertical supports are the ones on which the steps will rest. Check the picture for reference. 
3. Now lets mark the horizontal support pieces. We need 2 of them. The length of these should be the width of the frame minus the thickness of the pieces marked 1 and 2 from Step 1. Usually the thickness of a 1x4 is 3/4". So mark and cut them at 46.5" each. Mark them as 3 and 4.
   
4. Now mark the vertical pieces, cut it and sand it. 
• Divide the height by the number of steps. In my case its 48 / 5 = 9.6". 
• The height of the first step (bottom most) will be 9.6". Mark 2 pieces each of 9.6". 
• The height of the second step will be 19.2" (9.6 x 2). Mark 2 pieces each of 19.2".
• The height of the third step will be 28.8". Mark 2 pieces each of 28.8".
• The height of the fourth step will be 38.4". Mark 2 pieces each of 38.2".
• The height of the fifth step will be 48". Mark 4 pieces each of 48". The additional 2 pieces will be used for supporting the top step. Check the picture below.
• Cut the pieces straight and sand them. 
  
5. Now its time to fix the vertical support on to the bottom. Take the piece marked 1 from Step 1. Start from one end of the marking done on Step 2. Take the 9.6" piece and place it vertical to piece 1. Use a level if you have one to make sure the top surface is flat. Screw it as shown in the below picture. You can screw it using 4 or 3 screws as shown. CAUTION: Please make sure you go slow as too much pressure can split the wood. Just go in until the screw head sits flat on the surface of the wood. Similarly screw the remaining vertical supports 19.2", 28.8", 38.2" and 48". For the second 48" vertical support, leave about an inch clearance at the other end of the horizontal and screw it in. 
   
6. Now move on to the piece 2 from Step 1. Repeat the Steps 2, 3 and 4 but make sure once finished it should look like a mirror image of the finished piece - 1. 
7. You may need an assistant to do the next step. We need to attach the pieces 1 and 2 to 3 and 4. 
• Ask your assistant to hold piece 1 vertically. Now place piece 3 on one end of piece 1 as shown in the picture. Use 2 screws and tighten from the sides as shown.
• Now attach piece 4 to piece 1. 
• Ask your assistant to hold piece 2. Align it with piece 3 and piece 4. Screw both ends using 2 wood screws.
  
8. Now we need something to hold the steps on the loose end. We will do this with the help of a flat braces. Mark the position of each braces on the vertical support and screw it in as shown in the picture. Mark the position in such a way that the step will be flat when placed on top of the braces.
   
9. We are almost done. Now place the 1x12x4ft on top of each verticals. It should rest on the vertical support on both sides on one side and on the braces for support on the other. Screw the step to the vertical support from the top as shown. Just one screw on both ends should work. Repeat the same for all steps and there you go! The finished Golu Padi should look like this.
   

Here is Our Golu. 

Feel free to post your comments / thoughts. BTW! you can take it apart and reuse it. Here's a picture after I took it apart for storage.