Like others here, I used everything I could find to crimp cables during my lifetime.
I've got one of the hammer type crimpers and there is no comparison between the connections that it makes and the hydraulic crimper.
Last year I was upgrading to 4/0 cable and decided to do it right. I bought these.......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-TON-HYDRAULIC-WIRE-CABLE-TERMINAL-CRIMPING-CRIMPER-/250803613752?pt=BI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item3a650f7038#ht_500wt_1293 And I am really pleased with the results. I know they are a little over your spending limit, but I don't think you
will ever regret the extra $27. I don't think I will ever use the hammer crimper again. The hydraulic is just as fast
and you don't have to worry about hitting the thing off-center.
To make sure I get a good connection, I crimp my 4/0 lugs twice. The first crimp with the 120 dies and the second with
the 95 dies. I may be doing it wrong, but I'm pretty sure they are not going to loosen. If that doesn't make the metals flow together
then I guess I'm just outta luck.
It's really amazing how much fun it is to work when you have the right tools!!!!
Get the hydraulic. You will not be sorry.
Ralph