For devices [where you have more than one wire under a terminal] I like the uninsulated ferrules. I even use them in plugs.
I agree with you re: the person testing for faults.
Alan, I was taught by one of the electricians when I was a trainee to ALWAYS tin flexible stranded wires, but then I found loose connections due to 'cold flowing' of the solder under the pressure of the terminal.
I do think it depends on the type of terminal to a great degree, the tunnel type terminals with the screw bearing directly on the wire don't seem to do well with solder, but the flat gripping ones do.
As to economics, sadly I think that the climate today in general prohibits soldering in the field due to the time and skills required.
As Paul can no doubt attest, in years gone by, all telephone connections at the exchange were hand soldered, individually. Old Post Office handbooks for linemen even give temperature levels and heating instructions for different types of iron, what fluxes to use, etc. Now it's all punch down IDC connections that are considered bad if they take more than 1.5 seconds/wire.
[edited to correct verbosity, then more verbosity added to answer Alan]
[This message has been edited by chipmunk (edited 05-12-2005).]
