Valve Spring Help

The kind of spring compressor that grabs the springs needs a lil wack with a small hammer to free the locks/retainer, I have one.

The kind from sears/craftsman holds the retainer on one side and reaches around the head to hold the valve head while you squeeze the handle, like a caulking gun, compressing it all. It's the no air compressor version and works great! I have one of those as well.