A4 in FF

Long story very short... I've broken 2 chain tensioner tools trying to remove my cams to take the head in to be tested. The first time I blew it, I overtightened it after the chain had some (in hind sight more than enough) slack. The second time the chain would not slack at all (maybe I damaged the tensioner before?) and as I cautiously tightened, it broke. I'm going to replace the tensioner when I go back together, is there a way to get the cams out without the tool? I really need to get the head in and don't want to wait for another tool to be shipped. I'm nervous if I try to pull a cam I'll nick it if there's tension on it. I'm trying to scrounge up some material to make a tool of some sort, but I'm a little concerned that it didn't seem to collapse at all the last time I tried.

A4 in FF

I got it apart with the help of a bar clamp and a piece of copper tubing over the bolt from the broken tool. The head is in the shop so I have time to order a new tool.