Crimping Tool?

I'm about to undertake the rewiring of my van. The mfg of my rewire kit recommended the Channellock 909 for a crimping tool, but when I looked at the pics on the web it looks suspiciously like one of the pliers I have in my tool box (haven't looked at them to see if they are indeed the same). There is not only a 909 but also a 909CB model, so now I'm really confused.

Any advice from someone here that knows about these tools? Any other alternatives you might suggest?

For long life soldering iron and heat skink tube is best

thats a standard electritians tool - good yet others = strippers & crimpers out there - yes soldering & heat shrink are the best ways -have a Happy

Soldering is OK, but is not ideal for long term usage. Thats why car manufacturers don't use it, it can go brittle and suffers when a lot of vibration is applied.
I find the best solution is to use non-insulated crimps and then a small blob of solder for good measure on the crimp, followed by some heat shrink tubing. That is how i have been making looms for a few years now, and have had no problems yet. The cheap type crimpers are actually quite good with non-insulated crimps.

I was an Electrician for many years and since I have the tools already I use a set of standard Sta-Kon butt splice/crimping pliers. I also use heat shrink over the butt splices to make sure no moisture or crud gets in there to corrode and weaken the splice. Im not currently soldering mine as I only expect them there for a few years. I have an engine swap planned and when that happens I'm going to rework a lot of the wiring.

I'm pretty much with Hollinshead on it, a good solid connection that wont have thermal failure and some heat shrink to seal it up and keep it clean.

A poor/dirty/corroded connection will eventually arc/corrode or have thermal failure due to high resistance.

I like the 909 channel locks , but it was the only thing similar to an old set I had for years that grew legs and vanished.

I have used heat shrink solder connectors for wiring on fire trucks in the past with very good results. You just insert the wire and heat the connection. It solders and seals in one step. http://cableorganizer.com/elelktralink-butt-splices/