thx for the answers.
i have found that by doing the following procedure, i can produce more than enough meam.hcl easily:
1) the initial rxn at 104deg for 5 hrs, cooling and filtering,
2) reducing volume by 50% in a rotavap under vac, cooling and filtering,
3) rotavaping until evap flask is full of white crystals, cooling and filtering,
4) last rotavap of small amount remaining, cooling and filtering,
5) washing crystals with cold chloroform, filtering,
6) 1x recrystalization with meoh
For some reason, i have found it easier (and prefer the look of the crystal) when recrys from meoh.