I use an Irwin cabinet clamp for tower joining and separating. It has a useful feature of having a pin to
hold one of the ends on which can be removed. Removing this pin allows the clamp to be reversed and used
to provide force separating rather than pulling together. The simple "hand squeeze" ratcheting mechanism
provides enough force to bend tower struts if you're not careful. After some frustrating experiences with the
(black) rubber clamp boots falling off, I ended up rubber-cementing them into their (yellow) supports. I also
hot-glued a small closable link on the back to use for attaching a tether to. I also hot-glued a small link
to the clamp to make it easier to tether.
You don't need to keep the lock pin. Once it's removed from the end cap, just press the release in to remove
the end cap from one end and slide it onto the other end, and slide the ratchet end toward it. They're also
available in other lengths, though the 36" seems to work well.
After some experience, I found the hot-melt glue broke apart and let the clamp boots fall, so I need to find
another way to deal with that. I also had the link separate from the clamp so I've moved it to the hole in
the end of the rod.
