Quote Originally Posted by TimGoodacre View Post
It doesn't take much extra CP to buy that extra turn. But saving a turn through craftsmanship takes a helluva lot, unless you are already really close to the threshold.
True, but in most cases, that +3 won't be what lands enough CP for that extra action, you'll probably need more like +5-10, in which case using CP food and maxing other stats with gear seems ideal. You can most certainly do things in reverse, it's just a matter of personal preference and how you weigh the market prices of materia (permanent benefit) versus food (temporary benefit).

Keep in mind that with BiS DoH gear at max melds the CP cap is 355 (without food), and only one piece has variable options for melding, the offhand tool. This means that between you and the next guy, assuming both of you have "the best gear", you'll have +3 CP where he could have up to an extra +6 Craftsmanship or +4 Control.

Food for thought.