How to bury a handle.

[Bill Gebhardt]

I'm looking for a way to drop the handle so it is flush with the top surface of a small (16×9×8 inches) toolbox.
The toolbox will be 3/8 poplar box jointed with a hinged top.
Bill Gebhardt

 

[j0hn-th0ugh]

I'm looking for a way to drop the handle so it is flush with the top surface of a small (16×9×8 inches) toolbox.
The toolbox will be 3/8 poplar box jointed with a hinged top.
Bill Gebhardt

It's been a bit since anyone posted here but I wanted to share an idea. If you're adding a recessed handle to 3/8 poplar, try reinforcing the area with a backing block or plate to keep the wood from splitting. Have you found a flush fitting hardware style, like a spring loaded chest handle or are you still figuring out the design?

 

[f0ndu]

Recessed or piano hinge on the lid, then use flush pull or recessed handle that sits in a routed cavity

 

[d@rkr00m]

I'm looking for a way to drop the handle so it is flush with the top surface of a small (16×9×8 inches) toolbox.
The toolbox will be 3/8 poplar box jointed with a hinged top.
Bill Gebhardt

hi bill, go with purpose built hardware. Forget trying to invent a mechanism and look for flush mount folding handles or chest handles.
They are designed to sit perfectly recessed and spring back flat when not in use. Since your box is 3/8" thick, you will definitely need to reinforce the inside with a glued in 1/4" hardwood backing plate that spans the width of the handle.
That plate takes the pull force instead of the thin poplar fibers.