Thanks all - and especially Wal, for taking the time to send pictures! That helped explain a lot to me, having not really seen many bootlace ferrules actually in use.

I took at look at the ferrules in my Novamill after that, and was surprised to see they were pretty much flat! Maybe that's what you get from the simple two jaw crimpers?

Anyway, I feel a lot happier now just buying a of basic crimping tool, and knowing it should do what I need. Definitely a neat way to deal with the wiring, just being sure that a good joint is formed each time - that sounds like the key from what several of you have said. And if that means taking care to use the right size of ferrule - or use more sophisticated techniques for very small wires (thanks Johnsattuk) - then that is fine.

Many thanks for all the feedback.

Graeme