Handheld Vacuum Pumps are manual devices used to create a vacuum, allowing gas or air to be removed from a sealed container. These pumps are commonly used for automotive brake bleeding, fluid transfer and handling, vacuum sealing food, degassing resins and other liquids, and lab filtration applications. An effective filtration hand pump easily evacuates air from a lab vacuum filtration flask and is relatively easy to use making them a cost effective choice for many labs that do not have a centralized vacuum system and can be an affordable alternative to electric vacuum pumps.

Hand vacuum pumps are usually made of either plastic or metal and can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The most common type of vacuum pump is the piston pump, which uses a plunger to create a vacuum. They come with a variety of features, such as one-way valves and pressure gauges.

A hand vacuum pump typically requires little maintenance. However, it is important to ensure that the pump is kept clean and free of dirt and dust buildup. Also, make sure to inspect the pump regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Additionally, it is recommended to lubricate the rubber seals of the pump if they start to show signs of wear or reduced efficiency.

They are a cost-effective (from a procurement perspective) and user-friendly tool for many laboratory filtration applications. The vacuum created by a hand pump can easily be used to evacuate air from a vacuum filtration flask to make the fluid being filtered flow faster through the membrane filter. 

Using a  hand vacuum pump is also a simple process, as most have a trigger or plunger design for easy operation. If you need to precisely control the vacuum pressure you may want to select a model with a vacuum pressure gage or add one to your set up but that is typically not much of an issue with lab filtration.

The other consideration is whether the vacuum pressure will bleed off through the pump when you stop pumping. A one way "check" valve on the inlet of the pump can be a great way to lock the vacuum in the vacuum and ensure that you do not have to continuously pump.

In conclusion,  hand vacuum pumps can be a great addition to your professional lab equipment lineup whether as a backup for your primary vacuum source or as your main vacuum source. It can certainly be a trade-off between initial investment vs. labor to operate and may really depend on how much of your day is spent doing filtration tasks.