1973 Dart brake failiure

I've checked my hoses and I dont see any leaks, so im willing to continue with them the way they are. I have one of those standard brake bleeding kits with the adapters and the hoses and bottle and stuff, as well as access to a handheld vacuum pump if that method would work better in your opinion.
the tried and true is down, open the bleeder, close the bleeder, up (SLOWLY), down, open the bleeder, close the bleeder, up (slowly) and keep doing that till no more bubbles from that line longest first RR, LR, RF, then LF.

BE SURE keep an eye on the fluid level in the master, if it gets too low you have to start from the begining.

I've seen somone bench bleed the MC by installing it and using the brake pedal to actuate it, but I've also heard that that doesn't fully work, I'd like to hear your opinions on the matter, and if required, maybe some tips for bench bleeding without a vice.
It works just fine and just the same as in a vice BUT the master needs to be level