I have similar issues, my main is an engineer (That’s strike one right there, really), i can’t reliably use the explosives i can make because their failure rate is ridiculous, but i can’t put points into the “explosives” tree because i still need 13 engineering levels. (I need the full 100 to go into the “Mechanical mind”-tree, the one with all the convenience stuff engineers can make), i probably messed up my priorities, but with no respec, that’s hindsight.
I don’t have the engineering level and/or specialization to make highest-quality bracers (One of the very few schematics that gives any skill-ups), because if anybody out there is more skilled, nobody wants me to make them (The downside of quality-levels: It’s “Best quality or bust”), nobody wants the goggles, since the people who can use them can make them themselves, and i don’t have the spark of ingenuity to even make bracers for an alt!
So what can i do? Wait 5 months until the Darkmoon faire quest helps me over the barrier i’m facing?