I took slice right from the start, just to bulk up on credits. Lvl 16 now and just with one companion, I have done 2 storage upgrades (25k creds), bought a ton of missions and schematics, plus have 80k left over. However.... I did spend plenty of time in the day, while at work, running slice missions, while mostly afk. I would expect most to make way less by the same level, unless you can slice while at work like me
I took all the gather skills to start, mainly because I don't know what I want to be as a crafter yet. Needed to get some serious game time in first, then decide. So, why not just earn and gather, until I figure out what I want to be?
For those that think Slice is over powered, I disagree. Yes, it gives instant cash, but I have been looking at the GTN and believe you can make as much as slicing, if you learn how to effectively price your goods from other crew skills. Slice is just instant credit results, vs waiting a day or 3 for results. I frequently run slice missions for augments now, since at higher levels, the augs sell for much more.
Slice = 320 fyi. So glad SWTOR doesn't cap craft skills like other games do. Why should I have to be level 50 in combat to make a level 50 item? That always seemed silly to me in Wow.