finish for a painter's box

[Zach England]

I am making a wood painter's box/case for my sister's birthday and need it done by saturday evening. I was planning on finishing it with waterlox, but I had a setback in the construction when I cut a piece wrong late last night and will have to mill more stock. I am going to finish the assembly and fit the hardware this afternoon and if I am lucky I will be able to put a coat of finish on it tonight, but it might be tomorrow morning, depending on how the glue sets up. So I need a shortcut. I am thinking either shellac or a quick-dry poly. Alternatives? Thoughts?

Thanks.

[Conrad Fiore]

Shellac. And after presenting the box to your sister on her birthday, you can always put a coat of something else over the shellac after her birthday.