Mason Jar Hand Pump Vac?

WarMachine

WarMachine

Well-Known Member
Just wondering why so many people are against using a mason jar as a vacuum chamber with a hand pump? I usually winterize my extract so haven't used a vac for a bit but I busted it out yesterday for a tiny run (~3.5g of nug run) and it worked pretty well still. Most people say because it can't reach -29.5 hg, which is correct it can't (or at least I can't) but I do reach -27hg and I reach it pretty quickly. So just wondering basically, any other reason why it's frowned upon? Is it the lack of constant vac? I thought your supposed to turn it off once it reaches 29.5hg anyways?
 
GreenStick85

GreenStick85

Well-Known Member
I had stumbled upon an article not too long ago that showed a mason jar that imploded to the pressure. Didnt say anythin about how hot or cold it was but was more of a picture and a warning. I thought well Id try this but the risk of wasting a great nug run with glass didn't seem worth it. For science.... Id do it it but i don't make the hash often. Could the pump have been too much? Sure. It wasn't noted what was used but anything is possible under stresses. I wondered if it had anything to do with the metal lid and screw cap being that metal and glass have different tensile strengths under pressure.
 
gk skunky

gk skunky

Well-Known Member
Not sure how. I've been vacuum sealing jars for years for multiple reasons. Even the little vacuum sealers when you use the jar attachment get to -27. I would think the glass either had a defect or someone trying to pry the lid off or something. I've never had a jar break from vacuum though. Ugh ugh.
 
GreenStick85

GreenStick85

Well-Known Member
I would be game to use it with a jar that didn't have much design on it and is new from the get-go. My question to you guys would be is it just a hand pump you'd rig up or go
A little bit more tech and get a small air compressor rigged to run the vaccum?
 
gk skunky

gk skunky

Well-Known Member
I would only use a hand pump if attempting to purge with a jar. Though keep in mind you might not be able to reach "full" vacuum. Not sure how a mason jar would be at -29-30. @-27 never had issues with jars. But just to be safe, though if you try it with a real pump report back just take precaution. But I wouldn't use a jar with a vacuum sealer, like food saver or zip lock, and attachment. Reason being you're purging off butane. I'd be concerned the pump could cause a smaller explosion. Being moisture safe and volatile safe are two different things in my book. Though that is solely an assumption, and one I don't intend to test.
 
GreenStick85

GreenStick85

Well-Known Member
Ok I like the idea of purging in a simple jar with a bit of control. Now I need to find my hand pump and a schematic recommended for this operation.
 
GreenStick85

GreenStick85

Well-Known Member
Nice pics, I had something else in mind with a different pump and a fixture screwed into the mason lid. Where did you find your pump@WarMachine
 
GreenStick85

GreenStick85

Well-Known Member
Dude. This harbor freight site is fricken awesome! I just found a plastic welding kit that runs at 80 watts. This thing is perfect for some knife hits if a torch is not available or some vaporizing! I keep remembering that some ads for this store is found in many newspapers and I've wanted to go to one of their stores but never followed through because I thought they were in another state. There's one down town!
 
norcalmopar

norcalmopar

Active Member
you would want jars specifically for canning hit things...they are subjected to a bit of pressure when you seal in heat and put it on the shelf.
 
Fadedawg

Fadedawg

Well-Known Member
WarMachine said:
Just wondering why so many people are against using a mason jar as a vacuum chamber with a hand pump? I usually winterize my extract so haven't used a vac for a bit but I busted it out yesterday for a tiny run (~3.5g of nug run) and it worked pretty well still. Most people say because it can't reach -29.5 hg, which is correct it can't (or at least I can't) but I do reach -27hg and I reach it pretty quickly. So just wondering basically, any other reason why it's frowned upon? Is it the lack of constant vac? I thought your supposed to turn it off once it reaches 29.5hg anyways?
Click to expand...
Less people use a hand vac because of how much physical effort it requires. Unless you have wrists like most folks necks, it gets tedious and tiring as time wears on.

We don't pull -29.5 Hg vacuum and stop, we keep it at -29.5" Hg as the solvents boil off and the pressure tries to rise.

Lots happens between -27" Hg and -29.5" Hg.

Mason jars get dicey under vacuum. I've seen some larger than quarts implode.

I don't think it is a matter of a mason jar and brake bleeder not working, but more of a matter of how much effort it takes for how long and how cheap Harbor Freight vacuum pumps are.
 
WarMachine

WarMachine

Well-Known Member
Ahhh I get ya @Fadedawg but when you say you keep it at -29.5 HG, you mean after it reaches that number you keep the pump going? or once you reach -29.5" you turn of the pump but keep the pressure at -29.5"?

With me, it really doesn't take much effort to pump it to -27hg, I just can't pump it to -29.5 (granted I didn't give it my best best). The HF pumps are cheap for sure,but I also like how quiet a hand pump is compared to the vacuum pumps. If effort is the biggest downfall, than I am ok :)
 
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