Yeah I just filled the boot up with a whole tube of the stuff and reassembled everything, I did it by myself also and had no trouble at all. You have the same pliers that I have, so I don't know why you can't crimp the band on. As you said, the metal on those bands where the hump is is pretty tough, now you see why I said don't waste your time trying to reuse the old bands. You must be doing something wrong, crimping the bands was no big deal at all, and I'm no big guy myself. Can you post a pic of the bands you're using, where did you get them?

__________________
2002 X5 4.6is
1999 C5 Corvette
1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
1994 Kawasaki ZX-9R
2005 Mazda 6 Wagon (Wife's)
1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4