[NiHaoMike]

An analog vacuum gauge would be worthless for HVAC, except the exotic sealed units that actually measure low vacuums. (But those probably won't be cheap...)

The second vacuum pump you linked is great.

Don't bother with POE oil, just get a small bottle of Nylog Blue. Very cheap and use it on every flared connection.

As for the best brazing rod to use, Dynaflow is cheap but still easy to work with.

You'll want to leave your gauges connected for the initial power up for checking pressures. Once the third stage of the triple evac is over, close off the gauge valves and open the suction side service valve slowly. (Do it too quickly and the oil in the compressor might foam up and get sucked out of the crankcase. Unlikely but possible.) Then open the liquid line valve and start it all up.

You'll also want a torque wrench (and a set of open ended sockets) for flare connections and a thermometer for checking superheat/subcooling.