Some wiki reseach will get you a good path <3

Well, there goes my life. :p

Anyone know if http://www.eqtraders.com/calculators/main.php is accurate for p99? Seems that skill-up chance maxes at 200 for your main stat (int/wis or str in smithing). Does that seem accurate?

Calculator indicates a skill-up per 10 combines, but doesn't sound like that's what folks here have experienced, huh?

With 200+ STR, you should be able to go from max on banded (175?) to about 235 going straight to plate with about 60 stacks of padding. I've done it 3 times.

^ Tradeskill level: Expert

Thanks jcb, sounds like 1 skill up per stack of padding is the experience of a few people. Great to know! Guess I better keep stocking :)

according to EQ Trading corner calculator, you're down to something over 650 padding (and all the plats you need for the medium quality ore too...)
http://eqtraders.com/calculators/ski...r=130080000000

you can use the calculator to get the expected component price, since you have to use numerous items for the various progress you'll make an not use only one item for skillup, it's tedious to enter all the step there, but we're talking about multiple k plats in medium quality ore here.