It's as basic as it sounds. Other companies besides MSD offer these types of inexpensive and easy-to-use crimpers. Some even include them with their spark plug wire kits. | 
If you find yourself not only building plug wire sets more frequently, but doing any amount of wiring more than occasionally, it might be wise to invest in a tool like MSD's ratcheting crimping pliers. | 
Along with making the process much easier, the Pro-Crimp Tool also features the addition of removable crimping dies, and MSD offers a variety of die options that can be obtained separately. |
For average use, something like Mallory's manual-style crimper is perfect. Though it may not crimp as effortlessly as a ratcheting style, it will provide great crimps time and time again, plus it also features stripping, cutting, and other crimping options. | 
Just like this--a single-crimp HEI-style end. In essence, beauty isn't everything, but you do want to make sure your crimp gets the most secure connection between the wire and the terminal. | 
Moving along, the final portion of your ignition's secondary side is no less important than the first, as the spark plugs are what ultimately provide your combustion chambers with the right amount spark to keep 'em lit. But choosing the right one can be difficult, especially when you have so much to pick from: standard copper-core, iridium, and even new-fangled multi-spark/multi-tip plugs. |
These new items from Pulstar claim to produce up to 20,000-times the spark of an average plug, but at $25 a pop per plug, is it worth it? Well, we tried a set and noticed an immediate improvement in performance, but at the same time, we also found out that they're quite fragile--substantially more so than basic plugs. | 
Even if you're only prone to the occasional tune-up, unlike the advanced crimping tools, it's wise to have a good set of plug wrenches in your arsenal of tools, especially if you've got an engine or two with tight confines such as shorty headers or even a newer LS-type motor, which often provide even tighter confines. Nothing is worse than fighting to get the plug in or out, well...maybe except for breaking a plug in the process! | 
And no ignition tool set is complete without a gauge tool to two. The 99-cent ones at most parts counters are nice, but for accurate fine-tuning of plug gaps (namely closing them up), you can't beat the traditional tools like this. |
And we couldn't wrap this up without strongly suggesting the use of both anti-seize compound for the plug's threads and dielectric boot protector for electrical contacts. Again, items like these are common at checkout counters, but for more frequent use, buy in bulk! | | |