Steven,
As you stated, automotive A/C line crimps require a special crimping tool($400+). HVAC crimps will NOT work on them.
I found an automotive A/C specialist, who crimped mine for a pretty reasonable price.
$150, including hooking up the lines with the proper O-rings, pressure testing the system with nitrogen, vacuuming the system, charging with R134, and a 1 yr leak guarantee. I had to drive my car 50 miles to his shop, in 80 degree heat with no A/C, but it was definitely worth the ride. The cockpit of my car was like a walk-in freezer on the way home!
Make a few phone calls, and you should be able to find someone capable of doing the work locally. Get a guarantee!
Like you, I couldn't bring myself to buy a $400 tool for a one time job! With my luck,
if I had made the crimps, they would have leaked!
Bill
[ May 16, 2003: Message edited by: Bill Bayard ]