Hello,

I bought one of these:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Stru.../sd2804/p96056

Like all fittings of that type, it has a black rubber seal around the
end. Under the seal is a rigid red circle of plastic. Is it important?
Does it keep the rubber seal in place? I ask because mine arrived
broken and I am wondering whether I can live without it or whether I
need to get a new one.

Thanks,
Stephen.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Stephen
saying something like:

I bought one of these:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Stru.../sd2804/p96056

Like all fittings of that type, it has a black rubber seal around the
end. Under the seal is a rigid red circle of plastic. Is it important?
Does it keep the rubber seal in place? I ask because mine arrived
broken and I am wondering whether I can live without it or whether I
need to get a new one.

Do you mean a ring underneath the rubber, so that the rubber is grooved
onto it?
A ring of plastic to retain the rubber seal is an improvement, but
plenty were/are made without it, so I wouldn't worry. Once it's in place
it remains where it's put, just the red ring would help keep the rubber
more securely located as you push it in / slide it out.