Update:* This pump will indeed do 0.05 atm with proper sealing. ? Should be more than adequate for "picky" vacuum distillation. I've also used it to assist in drying 3a and 4a molecular sieve -- microwave procedure (see internet).* The liquid trap was difficult for me to get off the first time. I wound up using channellock pliers ... carefully ... to loosen it. Hand tightening it back, tightly, worked fine afterward.* Still working fine!Original post:I've put maybe 40 hours of vacuum distillation time on this pump. Works fine. Not really sure what its ultimate vacuum is -- 0.1 to 0.05 atm probably? Dissolved air comes out of water immediately at room temperature. Just got a gauge....Pretty quiet (won't interfere with tv/regular conversation), no harsh sounds, and currently I'm taking no steps to muffle it.Seems like I picked a good one for some hobby chemistry, so far. Price was very right.And of course killer for vacuum filtration.