looking for good-round cable store

surprisingly expensive tool IMO, but seems handy enough for price!

All of the tools for electronics have gone up in price. A $20 crimper is now like $80. Seems like anything with metal in it. As you said, copper wire is expensive, so the manufacturer cuts out the middleman.

The battery operated tool I have somewhere used 2-D batteries and POSSIBLY an adapter. Can't remember. I probably paid < $60.00, possibly less than $40 for it in the 1980's.

Remember, "all good tools are used."

Yes, I have bought new tools. But a greater proportion of my machine tools were judiciously bought used.

John