You need to remember OP's issue with buying in for the max. He doesn't feel comfortable risking a full buy-in with 10% edge. That tells me he should be playing at a lower limit.

With a short stack you are removing one of the most important weapons in NLHE: the bluff. You can only fire one shell at the pot. If that doesn't work, you can only win by showing down the best hand.

All things considered, if you want to make $$ at NL, you need to buy in for the max. With on-line playing, this shouldn't be an issue because virtually every limit is spread.

SP