Making a Playing Card Box

On a recent trip to a discount lumber store, I picked up some small "hobby size" pieces of walnut & maple. The maple strips were cutoffs that were already milled down smooth and square, which works great for me since I don't have a planer. I figured they would be great for small boxes. When I was asked if I could contribute something handmade to a silent auction fundraiser, I thought a small box might be a fun skill-building exercise. So I set out to build a box to hold some playing cards.

I had an idea for a variation of a locking rabbet joint that would make the bottom easy to attach to the sides, and let the base protrude out from the box. The finish was also a first-time experiment. I used spray lacquer (which I've used before), but this time I gave it a final smoothing with grade 0000 steel wool. I really like how this one turned out, and I hope you do too. Thanks for watching.

Special thanks to Bill Van Loo, as his lift-lid box provided the inspiration for the design of the lid of my box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt_k9nb0qFs

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:
Playing Cards (2-pack): http://amzn.to/1MvN7t7
5x8 Writing Pad: http://amzn.to/262PH01
Tape Measure: http://amzn.to/1p0vG8J
Handi Clamp: http://amzn.to/1p0weLG
Table Saw: http://amzn.to/262R6Ui
Band Saw: http://amzn.to/1ShuImg
GRR-Ripper Push Block: http://amzn.to/1ShuSKc
Glu-Bot Glue Bottle: http://amzn.to/1XxgJqF
Babe-Bot, Mini Glue Bottle: http://amzn.to/262UHSu
Router: http://amzn.to/1MvMQqd
Spray Lacquer: http://amzn.to/23HwcIj
Steel Wool (0000 Super Fine): http://amzn.to/1p0xkqL