Abstract: End support members mountable at each end of a paint-applying cover sleeve and adapted to receive the axle of a roller handle. Each support comprises a central hub which defines a chamber greater in diameter being the axle of a handle member. A radially expansible split tube is positioned in the chamber. The interior diameter of the split tube prior to expansion is smaller than the diameter of an axle and the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of said chamber. When the axle is inserted into the split tube the latter expands radially outwardly and exerts radially inward pressure on the axle to frictionally retain the axle in its longitudinally adjusted position.