[quote="You got some strong fingers there Joe........
[/quote]
It is not about strength, Grasshopper, it is about technique....
Determine the leading end of the master link, grasp the clip in your right index finger and thumb, slide the clip over the leading pin all the way seating the closed end of the clip (with the clip 90 degrees to the chain) swing the open end of the clip up past its final position allowing the one leg of the clip to drop into place behind the protruding part of the trailing pin, swing the free leg in and downward, it will slip into place and viola' you are done!
You always have to spring the clip a little to get it into place, so this method does not permanently bend the clip any more than any other method.
Fingers..... Grasshopper....