Try this.

In the row for the admin stuff set it to run at the server, and add a little server code to check if the module is editible to set the visble property of that row.  The stuff in Bold Blue below is what you need to add to your container.

        <% AdminRow.Visible = GetPortalModuleBase(Me).IsEditable %>
        <TR  runat="server" ID="AdminRow">
          <TD>
            <HR class="containermaster_blue">
            <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
              <TR>
                <TD align="left" valign="middle" nowrap><dnn:ACTIONBUTTON1 runat="server" id="dnnACTIONBUTTON1" CommandName="AddContent.Action" DisplayIcon="True" DisplayLink="True" /></TD>
                <TD align="right" valign="middle" nowrap><dnn:ACTIONBUTTON2 runat="server" id="dnnACTIONBUTTON2" CommandName="SyndicateModule.Action" DisplayIcon="True" DisplayLink="False" />&nbsp;<dnn:ACTIONBUTTON3 runat="server" id="dnnACTIONBUTTON3" CommandName="PrintModule.Action" DisplayIcon="True" DisplayLink="False" />&nbsp;<dnn:ACTIONBUTTON4 runat="server" id="dnnACTIONBUTTON4" CommandName="ModuleSettings.Action" DisplayIcon="True" DisplayLink="False" /></TD>
              </TR>
            </TABLE>
          </TD>
        </TR>

Hmm, I tried it an it works for me.

What do you mean by action buttons not appearing in the admin interface?

Do you mean the actionbuttons do not show in that same row of the container, or somewhere else?

I get the Edit commands inside the bottom row when logged in as admin.

I'm not sure why you don't.

Can you post the code for your container, or at least that bottom row?

Or you can send it to me directly at the email in my profile.