First of all, please don't waste your time if you're going to post "you don't need a tool." This is for my girlfriend who has hand strength issues.

I have owned the Brownells tool for years, and it's okay, but the rubber coating tears pretty easily. We bought a cheapie at Academy Sports that got so bent out of shape with its first use that it went right in the trash.

Those of you who use or have used the tool to compress the delta ring and remove/replace the handguards, which one do you recommend?

You have to ask yourself just how many handguard changes will be made in the lifetime of the firearm. I use a screwdriver.

I got some tool that has 2 gasline rubber coatted rods and a hook to fit in the mag well.  It works, but I've also used big blue channel locks with the same effect on slip and delta rings

Try the buddie system it is free

I've never had an issue just using my hands. Wrap some electrical tape around the Brownells tool you have. It's not going to be used very often.

How about throwing some heavy duty heatshrink tubing of the brownell's tool?

The handle end of those big blue channel lock pliers. The ones with the long handles and adjustable jaws widths.



 

I would do it for my girlfriend.



Then again, that would piss off my wife!