You don't need to have your epic 1.0 to do the 2.0, but you will have to do a couple extra tasks (3 kills and some hand ins) before you can start at the same spot.
A nice quest outline for both 1.0 and non-epic warriors is available here.
With the advent of "Epic 2.0", these are going to start going back up in pricing. (Part of the Warrior Epic, incase you didn't realize)
I worked on Geerlok Fermentation Device prior to doing Rebreathers because it's cheap, easy to get the components and will take you to 215 in tinkering.
i was in the bazaar in front of the bank and i saw something on the ground so i picked it up. so happens what i picked up was one of these. was pretty lucky huh
I hope nobody has tryed to tinker this when they wern't a 16+ Gnome, only we have the skill and only we can raise the skill, goto http://www.eqportal.com/tinkering/ if you are a 16+ Gnome interested in tinkering stuff. Beware though, not everything works and many great gnomish contraptions have been nerfed E.G. tinkered pets and the night vision goggles.
Gnomish cultural armor is tinkered not Smithed FYI
To find information about how to tinker, check out EQTraders.com
Basically, buy a toolkit, and combine the ingredients. Just like any other tradeskill. To my knowledge, the toolkit only sells in Ak'Anon, from a vendor by the forge.
You can also get the Deluxe Toolbox from PoK (not sure if it can be used for tinkering, but i presume so) from a gnome in the building behind the main bank
The old 8 slot toolkits can be bought in Akanon, or smithed. There's also a new 10 slot toolbox that you need to make most of the Velious or later recipes that have more than 8 ingredients; it's sold in the gnome pirate outpost in Iceclad Ocean.
Or if you are too lazy to go there: 1 Aqualung (recipe below) 1 Lime Coated Meshing 1 Sharkskin Tubing 1 Medium Platemail Helm 1 Firewater 1 Metal Fastening
You make an Aqualung by: 1 Fine Coral Mesh 1 Silk Lined Steel Helm 1 Metal Twine 1 Gnomish Bolts 1 Metal Rod 1 Fresh Fish