Dilemma on crafting gear progression

[Grux]

Dear crafting experts,

I'm new at crafting.
Basically this is what I have at the moment http://ffxiv.ariyala.com/SWFD

I'm trying to get into 2/3 star crafting for my specialists classes and I have no clue where to start.

I'm really looking at minimizing cost - cant afford to do perfect pentamelds like you billionaires.

So, this coming Thursday I will be having 28 red scripts to spare.
I have the option of buying one of the following:
1) RS OH
2) RS Chest

Is RS OH > RS Chest better than the other way round?

How ideal is it aiming for this: http://ffxiv.ariyala.com/SWFE
Takes some time but I'm thinking since I already have the RS MH. I'll go the route of RS OH> RS Chest > RS other body parts.

And I cant stand the fact melding expensive stuff into sub i150 right side.

So, with the new purchase, I'll probably go into 2star crafting - for the i170 right side gears and meld a little here and there while waiting for the full RS left side gears.

Question:
1) Should I go full retard? (following the game plan above) until i reach full left side i180) - for one specialist class.
2) Should I get the i170 class specific left side and meld them instead? Seemed really expensive
3) Should I just get RS MH on all 3 of my specialist classes and just meld the i150 gears?

I'm really looking at minimizing cost while not gimping myself for the future. Not really rushing to craft 3 star immediately. But also cant stand the fact that if I do meld my i150 gears, it will be unusable come future crafts needing higher requirements.

Also another question, whats your speculation on the future of RS i180 gears? Will they be viable for 4stars in the future?

I'm not sure about the 2.0 crafting timeline and was wondering if there is a possibility that you can actually trade in your RS i180 gear and other materials for a higher level equipment.

I mean they cant just let the RS i180 die just like that right?

[Silverbane]

The RS chest is not bad, it's better than a triple-melded crafted il170 HQ chest. But avoid RS items that have no CP if you can, CP is king.

[vio_p]

not all pentamelded players are billionaires some of them waste their gil to get those melds then look at making it back after.

this thread may help with your decision especially if you're going into 3 star crafting

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...-star-crafting

[TahoeMax]

I spent every gil I earned my first 6 months melding a set of i150 L-sided equipment to about 4 melds each, THEN a R-sided jewelry set to max CP. Once that's done use your red scrips on a BSM tool. I suggest the MH since the price is the same and it's cheaper to actually craft the OH. With at least one BSM i170/180 you can craft i170 tools for MIN/BOT and every hand class other than GSM. From there you can branch out and become self-sufficient to whatever extent you want

[TahoeMax]

You'll need food at least initially to reach minimums. Later you will still want it for CP, but might be able to use cheaper meals like Baked Onion Soup instead of Seafood Stew