X-ray tube systems and methods are described herein. A system for creating a vacuum environment in an X-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the vacuum tube welded to a support plate of the X-ray tube assembly, and the second end of the vacuum tube is pinched off or cold pressed to seal the vacuum environment within the X-ray tube insert of the X-ray tube assembly. A method of creating a vacuum within an X-ray tube assembly includes welding a first end of a vacuum tube to a support plate of the X-ray tube assembly, coupling a second end of the vacuum tube to a vacuum pump, using a vacuum pump to create a vacuum environment in the X-ray tube assembly and pinching off the second end of vacuum tube to seal the vacuum environment.