[Al Skierkiewicz]

Mike,
If there is only a few connections you need to make, try this...
Strip the insulation back until you can fully insert the wire. Then place the connector with the wire inserted into the corner of the jaws of a vice at a 45 degree angle. Position the connector such that the jaw corners will press together a little over half the diameter of the connector. Then tighten the jaws of the vise. You should now have a triangular shaped dimple in one side of the connecter. Now rotate the connector 180 degrees and reposition the connector in the corner of the vise jaw and tighten again. Test the wire by pulling and pushing, the wire should not move inside the connector body and there should be an "X" shaped crimp on the connector where the jaws overlapped. I suggest soldering for maximum reliability but be careful not to let the solder wick under the insulation, it will stiffen the wire and lead to early failure. Follow up with heatshrink to insulate the outside of the connector and make it long enough to cover about 1/2" of the wire insulation.
The pricey crimpers you mention in your post are the recommended style. They are pricey because they work and last long time.