So why are the crafter relics.. bad.

[Gemina]

You are looking at it from the wrong angle, you are assuming that they never tried manually crafting and immediately started using macros, thus they find in boring, when in reality it's the case that they tried crafting and found it boring, but still needed it, thus they resorted to minimizing their engagement with the system by means of partial automation, while still reaping full benefits.

As for what they "find fun and engaging", that's the point, they don't, that's why they use macros, it's purely a means to an end.

And it would be a safe assumption to make. Especially in the terms of it being a means to an end. In which case the question shifts from what is fun about crafting, to what's the end goal? There's no reward for crossing the finish line with crafting, so if you can't find value with the journey then what exactly is the reason you're doing it at all? What's the means to this end you speak of? Enlighten me.