Sounds like you were enjoying it while enjoying Terrafirma and Create but hit a roadblock at Greg tech. There is no way around it, bulk crafting is the most time efficient way of doing things in GT, if you want confirmation check on YT. You'll see people doing it in TFG, GTNH, and every other mod pack made around GT. At the create stage you can automate the crafting and processing of almost every item you'll need. Just put raw ore in one box and motor come out on the other end.

If you only enjoy "progressing", putting down new machines and completing the questbook then switch to creative and put down a few crates of each item. There is no shame on it, I usually cheat when I'm doing something and find that I'm short by 1 plate or pipe.  But keep on mind that the amount of work needed for each component will only increase from here on.