I did some reading.
This is not the first time since I joined in '07 on RPOL, that crafting in WFRP has come up.
I always return to this:
http://www.liberfanatica.net/wfrp_advanced_skills.pdf
Page 21 holds insight on checks but again offers no mark on reality.
A proper blacksmith(according to google) with aid, back then would take a month or two to make a decent armor - hence crafting weapons will take time....alot of it.
Assuming you have access to proper tools, furnaces, help etc, it may decrease but overall, the rules write basically: Use str/skill, if you roll well, boom - weapon.
Basically hit it hard enough and BQ comes out - silly and fantasy wise it works, but how much reality should we impose? Thats the break and I still honestly struggle to have found a decent balance.
One thing I do like is this:
Manufacture: For explanations of item quality, see WFRP
pg. 105. A tradesperson’s capability depends on the
number of skill mastery levels:
Skilled: Common quality items
Mastery +10: Good quality items
Mastery +20: Best quality items
So BQ is not an option unless skill used is at least +20; I like the reflection on ability vs desire.
So I do not mind what you ask Etain, I just want to avoid you being able to spit oout BQ weapons like an MMO endboss - rather finding a balance of investment vs reward. A BQ 'anything' is pricey and rare, or very rare, and should be treated as such.
That said, an axe for instance, assuming materials are available and a shop is also, can take a day roughly - I would argue that if you want proper quality, 3-4 items are possible, and more if you have the proper help and materials and your requirements are lowered.