Simple Secret Saves Aggravation

Here's a little tip I've been using for years. It's one of those sublimely simple kinks that, once seen, makes you say, "Hey, why didn't I think of that?!"

Everyone is probably familiar with spring button locks, as found on tube-in-tube connections. Whenever tubular structures are made to come apart, you see them. But, as convenient as these are, it is sometimes frustrating to get things lined up. You often have to search for the button inside the tube, to mate it with the hole it pops out of. This is both time consuming and bothersome.

What I do is mark a ring around the inside tube that mounts the spring button. I use a paint pen to run a ring completely around the tube, at the point where the button is.

Then with the tube inserted, you can easily see where the button is as the paint ring passes the locking hole. Just line up the painted ring with the hole and rotate the tube. The button will pops right into the locked position, without further effort.

Insert the tube, look for the paint, and turn to lock. Simple as pie!

Here I've used bright yellow paint, but any contrasting color works. Nail polish or enamels will do nicely, as well. I've even used thin adhesive tape. I prefer paint. With a lot of use, the paint will rub off. But it takes more abuse than you'd think. If it does wear too thin to see, just apply a bit more paint and you're back in business.