I realised that as you get bonus durability by putting 2 damaged items together the product is higher then both combined. EMC is based on durability so i tested it: 2 diamond picks with 2 hits before they break each have 15EMC and combine to make a pick of 2488EMC, 2458EMC more then what you put in.
combine this with a transmutation tablet (put damaged pick into middle slot of right hand circle) and you can get an exact replica in the top slot meaning unlimited damaged diamond picks for 15EMC each that combine for 2458EMC each time.
just saying...