Smithing Question

[astarothel]

It takes a good amount of work before you can reliably make banded.

Make a file
Make metal bits to 18 (alternately making tarnished weapons will do you up to 24ish)
Make studs or steel boning until 35
Make pots until 50
Make lanterns until 68
Make dairy spoons until 74
At 75+ you could start making low end banded pieces.

If the cost of bricks of ore at 5g is turning you off smithing, its probably not a good idea to level it up at this point in time. You'll spend a fair amount of time and (relative) plat just getting to the point where you can make the armour you want.