What is a vacuum filter, why do I need one and how do I make one cheaply? I'm am going to extract harmalas alkaloids from syrian rue seeds and in the tek I was reading in the Nexus Wiki said that a vacuum filter can be made cheaply.

You dont need it but it can help because rue filtering is kind of annoying. Check this:

http://www.dmt-nexus.me/...aspx?g=posts&t=21086

You don't need it.
Filter through a cloth first, maybe twice. Then use coffee filters. You might have to change filters during filtration because they do clog up fairly quickly, but it's still cheaper to use more coffee filters than building a vacuum filter, and in my experience it's not really THAT bad.

vacuum filter is fancy, probably kind of cool to use, but definitely not necessary for a successful extraction, nor for good yields.

cheers&love
Enoon

Sister has several vacuum filtration set-ups, but never uses them for extracting MHRB, the filter would be clogged in seconds. A much better filtration solution for MHRB would be to use a set of ladies nylons to pour the extraction into, works like a charm. :idea:

EDIT: after reading your post Sister realizes it isn't MHRB you need it for. Harmlas extraction filtration is TEDIOUS, a vac filter would definitely speed things up.

I find vacuum filtration useful for all sorts of extractions. It seems the cleaner is the extract from plant material the cleaner is the final product. Vacuum filtration is always faster than the gravitational one. Use progressively finer filters if you start with lots of insolubles. Wash your filters and glassware with fresh solvent to minimize losses.