Usually I stick with singles and work up in weight. Something like this: 135x1 225x1 295x1 315x1 385x1 405x1 425x1 Max I should also point out that I'm resting a lot in between each single!
Sonny's advice may work. I will usually start out with a set of 10. Then a set of 8. Then down to 5. Then I get ready for the almighty ball buster.
For squats and deads I just start at 135-245 and go up by a plate per side until I am ready to go for my top set. I do 3's from 135-315, and singles from then on up, unless I am doing a triple for my top set.