Small project finish ideas...

[Clisby Clark]

I've been making some small boxes that I'm planning on giving away. Someday, I wouldn't mind selling one or two, though and I've noticed that the finishing is taking more time than the building. I'm set up to spray waterbornes, but am open to wiping varnish, etc. What are your recommendations for a quick, decent finish for these projects? Thanks.

[Scott Holmes]

How will be the boxed be used?
What type of wood?
What look and feel do you want on the boxes?

[glenn bradley]

As Scott points out, the success of your finish (and therefor the observed quality of your work) relies on how the object will be used. If the boxes are for index cards full of recipes to be used in the kitchen I would choose differently than for a jewelry box in a grown women's dressing area.

[Jim Rimmer]

In addition to the previous comments, boxes are a great place to experiment and build your comfort level with different finishes. Unless you have used some expensive exotic, you're not out a lot if you totally mess it up and usually they are small enough that you can strip itown and start over if you don't like the way the finish turned out.