I have a Mastercool crimp set. They sell one with hydraulics ($$$), mines the mechanical one, uses a wrench to crimp. Works great, I don't do that many lines so doesn't matter it takes longer. Don't know where it was made but seems well built.
^^^^^^^^ X 2 I have the manual type also and it has worked very well for the three or four installs I have done in the past ten years or so.
The master cool kit is a good one. Pricey but good. As atwater mike said wagon, Parker, aroquip all make great industrial crumpets that can be used on ac, hydraulics, oil, gas etc but are expensive . I have found a few for sale used for pennies on the dollar compared to new. How many lines you plan on making? Might be better to make some templates out of generic hose Then bring them to someone who makes line. If this is a onetime project would end up being cheaper.
That is probably the best way to get it done right for the least money if you don't have several projects coming up that need AC hoses. I'd do as he said and make up the template/pattern out of generic hose and then carry that to the hose shop or AC shop and have it made up. The labor at a hose shop to put it together and crimp the ends is probably minimal compared to the cost of tools that will sit on the shelf for months or even years at a time.
i was looking at the master cool kit looks like the best deal for $106 shipped i dont think i can get it done that cheap
I am a 'tool junkie'....mostly because I really like to be to as self sufficient in my shop as I can manage and I therefore waste/invest my money in that pursuit. That's just me......the recommendations above are sound alternatives.
Something I have rarely had to do so I just take mine to the local NAPA, they recently did some for 30 bucks. HRP
Like @HRP said I can get two 6’ 5/8 line made with fitting on each end for under $130 bucks. 12’ of line and 4 fitting plus there time etc etc , I think it’s a pretty good deal.
I don't own a crimping tool but know the guys at the local big truck service center and they have a crimp set that does all the hose types and sizes for truck hyd. applications. I just drop off my hoses with the ends marked and pick them up later. The most I have ever been charged was ten bucks so it would not pay for me to buy my own set. Might work for others to look into a similar relationship.
I bought the master tool kit to do my a/c last summer, it worked just as it should have. It was very helpful to have the tool at home instead of taking hoses somewhere to get crimped. My '37 Chevy cab was really tight getting hoses in and out of, so doing one end, then fitting the hose again helped a bunch. I would sell you the tool for half price so we each get a deal, but I have it promised to friend of mine for his Firebird. If you haven't purchased the hose yet, spend the extra money for the longer kits if they are available, I had to order more hose to route them they way I wanted.
I went to our local implement and used their A/C crimp collets in our weatherhead hose press. Works great and doesn’t damage the fancy fittings. ***side note...I also use the 1/8” hydraulic hose collet to press all my battery cable ends and this makes EXCEPTIONAL looking cables***
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