I use the Blue-Point (Snap-On) compressor that has two hook type arms and a steel fork that slides into the spring.
When I put the Falcon front end together it worked real well, I had to put some thick washers on the threaded rod part to make it compress to the right lenth.
It did end up sliding off my my slippery painted springs,it made a hellava loud bang and hit me in the hand!
It took about 20 minutes to get some feeling back in my hand after the spring hit it,but it was ok after that little accident.