I will get some pics up soon and maybe do a detailed write up in the homebuilt section. I basically got a 8 gal stainless brewing kettle from Toronto Brewing. The go on sale sometimes and cost 1.3 maple units (130$) The thing is beautiful and has a really heavy bottom, 2 welded 1/2 inch ports, a thermometer and a stainless ball valve. I then found a cheap stainless pot from Walmart that fits perfectly and snug in the top. Drilled a bunch of small holes in the bottom of the cheap pot and made filter pads with synthetic felt. The bottom filter is 2micron Orlon from the CDL store. Used some clamps and stainless screws to hold it air tight. Made a hole for the vacuum port and it was off to the races.
I rigged one up last year and it worked really well. I wanted to make it prettier and out of all stainless. I have filtered gallons of syrup with the cone filters. 5 Gallons would take me the better part of 2 hours, multiple filter swaps, a sticky mess and a whole lot of cursing. The one I made last year takes about 5 minutes for the whole 5 gallons and filters better. I am excited to try this one with the real sandy syrup this year and see how well it works.