THG Heat Tape Questions

I've decided I want to switch all of my racks over to THG heat tape but can't help but notice that $4 seems like a lot of money for a few tiny pieces of metal and some fancy tape to connect the THG, especially when you need 20+ connections. I'd rather buy my own stuff, but I've found grommets to be one of the most frustrating things to track down online from a US seller. Neither of my local hardware stores sell small sizes of grommets. So I am finally coming to the forums in hopes ya'll can help

If you have bought THG heat tape, what size are the grommets they come with OR you've bought on your own? Does it matter if they are 2 piece grommets (male and female pieces) or just the self backing 1 piece grommets? If you bought your own, where? I am thinking I need the 4mm size but I want to be sure. I'd appreciate any help.

Is the THG like flexwatt? The flexwatt connectors are $$ as well. I have been soldering all of my connections for many years and never had 1 fail. Even if you don't have the soldering gun, it is probably much less expensive to solder. If you want to know how I do it, let me know. Good luck.

If you check the THG web site there are instructions for soldering connections. Here's the link:
http://thgheat.com/diy-solder-heat-tape-connections/

I have found a place that sells a crimping tool and grommets. The grommets are refered to as size #1 or 5/16". Same size as the school hole punch i have. The pliers are $38 plus they give you a bag of 20 grommets free. Their grommets are $5 for 20 which is wayyyy better than reptile basics charge. Also found a company that sells 5/16" grommets for around 9 cents each so bought a few from them to compare to the other company. Here are the links:

http://www.mikesfalconry.com/Standar...-dia-p/533.htm


http://www.sailrite.com/Grommet-Plain-5-16-1

I will be testing how well the connection is once i receive all the supplies.If this works then it will be a cheaper and just as effcient way as buying the sets and using electrical tape as the insulator like I do on the clips I buy from the bean farm.