There’s no need for the crimping tool. Two average sized ball peen hammers is all you need. Get the pin link in place from the rear and then feel of the holed link to find the smooth side. One side will have sharp edges and the other side will feel smooth with no sharp edges. Put the holed link in place with the smooth side forward, away from the chain. Use the flat side of one hammer to back up on the back, and use the ball side of the other hammer to peen the pin leaving a bit of a mushroom shape.

Peening against the smooth side leaves a radiused head on the pin which is much more resistant to cracking.

I’ve done more than a half dozen chains this way and driven some to high mileage without issue.

Hope this helps.

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution