Hey all,
I'll chip in on this thread with my 2 cents.
I'm level 48 and have spent an absolute fortune in credits and time levelling synthweaving to 400. In my experience there are two major imbalances:
1). RE'ing simply isn't reliable or consistent enough. I agree with the OP that some of the attempts are excessive to say the least in the number of attempts it takes to hit the next level item up. I remember one set of boots that I stopped trying to RE after 26 attempts. Whoever posted that the OP was 'Doing it wrong' is simply insulting. Pressing a button and right clicking an item is straightforward - the RNG behind the process is not. Sure, its great when you hit the level up on the first attempt but its nowhere near balanced.
2). There are some level ranges where there are simply no recipes for certain slots - for example I think its around level 41-43 where there are no head slot items at all from the trainer for light armour - what gives? I'm supposed to spend loads of creds levelling up synth only to have to go and buy a decent headset from GTN or save up commendations? Madness!
Because of issue 1), I hit 400 synthweaving at level 38 - surely this is far too soon given the level requirements of the level 400 items (47+)? additionally, because of issue 2), I often ended up trying to RE reps that were 2/3 levels above my current level just to accommodate for the failure of RE and subsequent farming of mats to try again.
Having obtained the Rataka reps from the trainer and started acquiring some of the mats (albeit from expensive comp missions) I can see how it would get better, but I definitely feel that the OP had a valid point. Levelling synthweaving is an inbalanced chore which rather than providing up to date gear, often sucks credits away instead.
I'm sure it'll come good at some stage (more recipes in future, more balanced RE process, maybe some dailies to encourage RE'ing even at max level) but based on my experience so far, I can definitely offer my sympathies to the OP.
DG