WE GOT 'EM IN!
I filed a little groove in a small screwdriver, hoping it would work better than Sunday night's needlenose attempt...
I held the circlip in place with my left index finger and worked the little rascal in with the end of the notched screwdriver...
And BINGO! they went right in with a little "click".
Man, was I happy! I haven't been this happy since the USFS let us cut 30 cords on a $30.00 wood permit!
Having put in the circlips in both saws (the 440 and 066) we went ahead and set the cylinders. The cheesey looking ring compressor from Bailey's worked like a charm...even with the 066 big bore kit (56mm) the largest ring in the kit worked sweet.
Here's the 440, in progress, with our now "dedicated circlip screwdriver" and the ring compression tools:
So I want to thank everyone who posted their helpful replies on this thread...I'm gonna Rep all of ya, it just might take a few days...