In the last century, one did semimicro scale distillations with a 2-stage vacuum pump, a cold trap, a McLeod gauge and typical distillation glassware, all connected by rubber vacuum tubing or ground glass joints. My understanding is that today one uses an electronic manometer (e.g., TPI Model 605) instead of a McLeod gauge, but what is best way of connecting things together? I need a vacuum of 0.01 mm Hg or lower according to the procedure I am following. What is acceptable low-cost way of measuring vacuum?