DIY Vacuum Filtration – A Low-Cost Alternative for the Teaching Lab

 

DIY Vacuum Filtration – A Low-Cost Alternative for the Teaching Lab

Vacuum filtration is a staple in most chemistry labs — fast, clean, and efficient. However, the equipment can be expensive, especially when outfitting multiple workstations for teaching. At Philip M Russell Ltd, we’re always looking for ways to make practical science more affordable, so we decided to build our own DIY vacuum filtration system using materials we already had.

The Problem

Commercial vacuum pumps are reliable but costly, and for many school experiments, they’re more powerful than necessary. We needed a small, portable, low-maintenance option — something safe for classroom demonstrations and suitable for field or remote setups too.

The Solution

We realised that our Makita battery-powered vacuum/blower, originally purchased to power our linear air track, could also serve as a vacuum source. With a little modification:

• We attached a rubber hose to the inlet port.

• Added a bung that fits securely into a side-arm flask or filter funnel adapter.

• Used battery power for flexibility and safety (no mains cables near liquids).

The result? A compact, cordless, and surprisingly effective vacuum system that performs perfectly for teaching demonstrations and light filtration tasks.

The Benefits

• Cost-effective: uses equipment that many schools already have.

• Safe: no high-voltage connections or fragile pumps.

• Portable: can be used anywhere — indoors or outdoors.

• Adaptable: the same vacuum can power other experiments, such as air tracks or suction-based physics demos.

The Takeaway

With a bit of creativity, you can turn workshop tools into valuable lab equipment. The Makita-based vacuum system is proof that clever improvisation can make high-quality science accessible without high cost.