Step‑by‑step checklists to repair asphalt damage and build a classic Shaker side table from scratch.
Based on: ASK This Old House | Driveway, Shaker Table (S14 E3) FULL EPISODE by This Old House
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Have you ever walked out to your driveway and found a hole so deep it could swallow a tire whole? Or admired a piece of Shaker furniture and thought, I could never build something like that? You are not alone, and the good news is both of those problems are a lot more solvable than you think.
Here is the reality most homeowners face: a driveway pothole does not stay the same size. Every car that rolls over it pushes the edges wider and the base deeper. By the time winter is done with it, what started as a minor annoyance becomes a structural headache — and a potential liability if a guest damages their vehicle. And Shaker furniture? Most people assume it requires a professional woodworker with a lathe, a set of chisels, and years of practice. So the project sits on the wish list forever.
Imagine pulling your car into a driveway that looks clean, solid, and professionally finished — knowing you repaired it yourself for the cost of a few bags of materials from the home center. Imagine setting a handcrafted Shaker candle stand table in your living room and telling guests you built it. That is the kind of quiet confidence that comes from doing things right, with the right guidance.
This Old House has been the trusted voice in home improvement for decades, and in this episode Roger Cook and Tommy Silva walk through both projects with the kind of practical, no-nonsense clarity that only comes from years on the job. Roger digs into a real driveway in a real backyard, figures out exactly what caused the void, and shows a step-by-step repair that is built to last. Tommy breaks down the Shaker table project in a way that makes it genuinely achievable — including a kit shortcut that eliminates the need for a lathe or complex joinery.
This PDF checklist captures every single actionable step from both projects: the excavation, the base compaction, the cold patch technique, the router jig for cutting a perfect circle, the tung oil finish, the keyhole leg assembly — all of it, organized in the exact order you need to execute it. No rewinding the video, no taking notes, no guessing. Just a clean, step-by-step action plan you can print and take to the garage or the driveway. Grab your copy and get both projects done right the first time.
Every checklist item comes with actionable notes to guide you — things like "Don't forget to do this before you start," "Avoid this common mistake," or "Set a reminder for 30 days out." Nothing vague, just clear next steps.
+ 29 more action items inside...
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