Equipment

Pliers can be found anywhere from hardware stores
to craft shops. We use line-man, typical needle-nose
and electrician pliers in the course of our work.
It really depends on the type of link and personal
preference. We often grind the teeth off to prevent
marring the links made of softer metals.

I have at least 6 pairs of often-used pliers.
I prefer specific ones per hand and type of link
being worked. Which pliers those are also alternate
depending on how long I've been working with the links.
Due to the amount of time I spend using them, I've found
that a pair of premium pliers can be well worth the
additional cost. Rio Grande is one source for
different types of pliers.

Technique

The easiest way we've found to close links
without distorting them is to keep the pliers
on the same plane. In other words,
I invert (point down) the pair that's in my
off-hand. Many people automatically hold the
pliers upward in each hand, this has the
tendency to warp the shape of the link. It's
difficult to get used to the feel of the
pliers being inverted, but once you do,
it can make a big difference.

Tips

Try to hold both pairs of pliers in your hand when you pick up and position the links. This saves you the step of having to pick up and reposition the pliers everytime.

As the links are put together, make sure that they are fully closed. Burrs may be pulled or cut off with the pliers, and rough spots might need to be filed down (often with the teeth of those same pliers). I started into the habit of checking each closure with my fingers while I was working. This is a good practice to have, and I attribute much of the comfort of my pieces to it. If it feels smooth to your fingers, it should be fine to wear.