I thought perhaps he could describe the symptoms at the time it stopped working..

You should be able to rent a nitrogen bottle ... typically at a regular Welding Gas place.. I bought my bottle last year.. not too expensive ...

"I know the compressor pump can't pull the full vacuum but I thought I read on here that it was adequate and that others had used."

You might need to do more reading about the theory of the AC system... and the effects of moisture in the system... If you cut corners on the AC system you are way too likely to have to do it all over again too soon... properly done it has the possibility to last 8-10 years with only the addition of an ounce or two every couple of years to keep it going..otherwise you risk have a black death a year from now and having a much bigger problem to deal with... A great vacuum pull is essential to any possibility of a good fix...
It is your car so you can do whatever you want to.