I’ve got a multiple set of cheap ones from so long go I cant remember were they came from, but i usually grab modded needle-nose pliers with the tips ground down so they will fit. Much sturdier and unlike the old junk these don’t bend.
Phil
The smaller one of these two fits most rings/pills:
They are available separately at Sears in the US, sometimes at ~$6.
But I agree, it is hard to beat need-nose pliers that have been sanded/filed down.
Miller: The circlip/snapring pliers kits with removable heads are all but useless. They are not designed for rotational torque.
If you are getting circlip pliers, I would highly recommend spending a little more to get higher quality ones. The cheap stuff uses crap steel which can easily bend or break.
Got some at work worth about $50 AUD a pair and those will last a few decades. I think about $15 USD would be what I would spend on a single pair of circlip pliers. At least find something with some sort of brand behind it.
Argh I did not order
Can somebody point me to a decent one NOT US based?
I can’t find much on aliexpress. Perhaps someone else knows a good chinese tool seller?
This is the best I could do on Aliexpress
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/SunRed-BESTIR-taiwan-brand-high-grade-7-Chrome-vanadium-spring-ring-remover-diy-repair-tool-NO/32213635138.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.128.tJjtso&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201602_4_10017_10005_10006_10034_10021_507_10022_508_10020_10018_10019,searchweb201603_9&btsid=d98b9e17-86dd-426d-bf5b-392216c6b4b8
I would try looking at your local Auto/car parts or tool stores.
Also if you would prefer the pliers to open up rather than close when you close the handles, try looking for external circlip pliers instead of internal.
If you live near a Tractor Supply store, you can get a pair with 3 different attachments for like $10.
@Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-3-4-quarter-inch-needle-nose-pliers-40696.html
Perpetual sale item for $1.99. Pick through the bin to find the set with the best tips as they can have some variation between sets.
I also picked up a set of these snap ring pliers recently, but haven’t had a chance to use them:
http://www.harborfreight.com/snap-ring-pliers-with-interchangeable-heads-60531.html
Those look great!
They work great! Best ones I’ve used, I’ve had the exchangeable head ones, cheap ones and Chinese imported ones, there are by far the toughest at a cheap price! (Compared to Knipex or similar at twice the price at least)
I just bought a pair of these. They appear to be really well made.
Thanks everyone for all of your recommendations,
Mike
I’ll get them out to you tomorrow! (Post office is shut here)
Thanks!
Your trash can will be seeing the bottom ones soon. I bought a set and they’re sloppy-fitting awkward to use junk. Plus the tips are too big for most light circlips.
Phil
I find a good needle nosed pliers works for just about everything.
For the rare situation where the holes are too small for my pliers I simply drill them wider with a pin vise drill.
They look tempting, the exchange rate and shipping are stopping me from ordering right away.
+1 
Stanley Gerade Nase Innen Haltering Sicherungsringzange
Better priced, though not really cheap.
And I could not let go of the full description just like that.
It brings back memories of highschool, where we used to collect words like: Eisenbahnknotenpunktschienenhinundherschieber 
$3 from fasttech micro shears …buy a few pairs
https://www.fasttech.com/products/2205/10003258/1243300
https://www.fasttech.com/category/2205/hardware-tools/-/p/2?f=-&sort=r&
great for opening up tailcaps , pills ,snipping a diode or cutting the top of a solder blob
Thank you, Henk !
That search string is not, what I had been trying yet … who wonders.
“Eisenbahn … schieber” great fun for germanwordputtogetherlovers ! 