you said you think >< means your not 100% sure...i wasent going to go on it if you wernt sure..lol

ya i thought i should say that as not everyone knows

From the arreat summit:

1 Tal Rune + 1 Thul Rune + 1 Perfect Topaz + Normal Body Armor = Socketed Body Armor of same type

The number of sockets created will vary. The item must be normal and unsocketed. Low-quality items and superior items do not work. The item gets 1-4 sockets, randomly. However, the number of sockets is then restricted by the maximum number of sockets that base item with that ilvl can have. The chance to get X sockets in most armor is 1/4 (I.E: Mage plate has a max of 3 sockets, so it has a 2/4 [1/2] chance to get 3 sockets). The base of 6 was used in the ratios for all the above mentioned areas.

I will also add that the ilvl is very important. A flail from norm has a maximum of 4 sockets (good to know if you want a hoto), while a flail from nm and hell has a maximum of 5.

ya w/e