Soldering and crimping is acceptable in some situations. Proper solder jobs require more skill, and are not as repeatable as a quality crimp. Soldered joints need good support nearby, or stress cracking can result. Personally I just crimp for most everything. Faster, and fewer burnt fingers!
I use the FASTON uninsulated crimps from RS Components
plated brass. Ok, you have to buy them in minimum quantities of 100 , but they work out at about 6 pence/( cents each, and the basic proper tool isn't expensive and it folds the ends of the crimp over and down into the wire for a really good fit. Then I just heat it with a pencil propane torch and run a little solder in from the exposed end of the wire - not a highly skilled job. The larger rear crimp is to go round the end of the cable insulation and seems to do a good job of relieving stress. then cover with slip on the plastic covers or shrink wrap. The also do 90 degree versions for going round corners.
When I think of all the crap crimps i've replaced with these over the years it makes me so mad - if you are a mechanic doing automotive electrical work investing in these would save you so much money over the years, and do such a better job. The 5th wheel caravan we bought in Oz had 4 electric brakes all fitted by the dealer with those crappy colour coded crimps you buy in high street shops, and every single connection had failed - they guy we bought it from had basically been cruising round towing 3 1/2 tonnes with no working brakes. Shudder
in fact, i've carried this crimp kit with me from Oz to New Zealand to the US and still have it with me in the toolkit in the Suzuki, and i'll take it back to europe in my luggage next year. One of my all time favourite tools, along with my Bergen 1/4" socket set and Fluke multimeter.
Maybe we need to start a couple of new threads - favourite tools and worst dealer work.....although that one could run and run
