Plain old bolts in MDF won the foundation battle.

The shrinking bit of fuselage might benefit from an epoxy layer. Epoxy might also bond PETG welds.

With the tower anchored, it was easiest to tip over the entire diorama to dump the ashes.  The rocket doesn't have to unhook from the chopsticks at all, except for playing with it.  A more assertive catching pin was back on the table.

When this project began in Jan 2023, no-one knew what a landed starship would look like after being caught by the launch tower.  The original idea was just a smoke plume from powered flight.  Then it became a pool of smoke from venting before flight.  The sight of the actual landed booster hanging from the chopsticks, smoking on the bottom was a perfect match for an incense burner. To fully appreciate it though, you have to watch it burning.