Abstract: A tie rod assembly to secure form panel elements in edge to edge engagement and tie opposed panels made of such elements in spaced apart relationship. The assembly employs a tie rod having a length less than the distance between the opposed panels and gripper mechanisms releasably engageable with the ends of the tie rod and proportioned for extension through tie rod openings formed in the panels. Key elements are engageable with the gripper mechanisms and the panel elements to lock the mechanisms in engagement with the rod and secure the panel elements in place. The rod is provided with enlarged heads at either end thereof for engagement by the gripper mechanisms and, in a preferred embodiment, the sides of the head are flattened.