My in-process tool totes have two drawers at the bottom of the front and I'm looking for a good way to make something to open them.  I don't want something that is just going to get banged and broken off or get in the way. 

 

My first thought was a semi-circle cutout.  But that (as a prototype) did not seem to work real well as the fronts are 3/4" thick.

 

Second test I was thinking something that sticks out  a little bit from the top edge and is flat and has rounded corners.   I'm running a trial with a biscuit cutter and glue (and nail) in a biscuit. Another option would be a 3/16 or so strip of wood.  But the grain would likely be going the wrong way for maximal strength on the wood strip. 

 

Or a piece of leather (a tab) that's inset into a mortise (like a hinge mortise).

 

 

How about one like this? 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Richelieu-Hardware-1-in-25-mm-Center-to-Center-Brushed-Nickel-Contemporary-Recessed-Pull-BP77325195/301382815

Edited August 5, 20206 yr by Gene Howe

16 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

How about one like this? 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Richelieu-Hardware-1-in-25-mm-Center-to-Center-Brushed-Nickel-Contemporary-Recessed-Pull-BP77325195/301382815

I think a toilet seat will be way too big.

 

Edited August 5, 20206 yr by kmealy

The other option I considered is a cut out similar to what's on a bee hive.

 

use a drawer pull router bit to cut a recess.

 

you also could screw aluminum angle iron across the top to create a pull lip

Or, just cut a finger hole.