Not really unprofitable...you just have to know who to sell it to. I can make a full suit (assuming near zero failures) for ~37pp....I can then turn around and sell it for ~90pp (I have a very good Excel spreadsheet for anyone who's interested in cost per piece, per AC, per piece of material, etc...just email me and I'll send it to you). It's not as profitable as other skills, but it's a living. The ppl I have found who buy it--high levels twinking newbie friends or their lower level characters, and clerics (lots of them getting rid of bronze for banded). There's also a thriving trade for small banded or large banded (harder to get the materials for).

Khelan, Bard of 22 Songs, Master Smith
GuildMaster Divided Loyalties
Tarew Marr

> Banded Armor is usually less than 1P per AC. Bronze is normally 1+ a
> bit per AC.
> If you can carry it, skip banded and go right to bronze. Its cheap
> enough now, and no one makes banded anymore (since its so unprofitable)