Twinking a Caster for early level melee

[Sojor]

I'm wanting to start a necromancer, but want to churn through the first 1-12 levels as fast as I can. I don't think a Erudite Necro can do the Crushbone quest and I can't afford PL'ing, but I can afford some gear. I was thinking I could gear for melee and tank/lifetap with my pet for a good bit of this range.

My first thoughts were with these items:
Tolapumj's Robe (36% haste)
FBSS (21% haste), but does it stack?
Smoldering Brand (1hb 9/22 w/ an 11-14 DMG proc that works at level 1)
and then gear some +55 HP rings and such.

What are your thoughts on this strategy and does anyone have better suggestions? I only have about 8k to play with.