Abstract: An extensible handle bar for cleaning and painting tools and the like comprises inner and outer tubes in slidable telescoping relationship, the outer tube having a pair of apertures therein containing inserts. A helically threaded nut extends over the exterior surface of the outer tube and the inserts. The outer surface of each of the inserts includes projecting thread segments which mate with the internal threads of the nut. The internal threads of the nut and the thread segments of the insert each have a conical configuration. Upon rotation of the nut in one direction on the outer tube, the inserts are depressed radially such that the inner surfaces of the inserts press against the outer surface of the inner tube to axially lock the inner and outer tubes together.