Crafting time isn't something that is worth worrying about when automating. The ratios are clean very often, but using them for automation isn't practical. I won't be including the crafting time in the recipe book, because I don't want it to distract players from better solutions.
The map size issue is a little less in v7. New worlds spawn with guaranteed ore deposits close to the goddess, and cowgirls now have a bias towards walking to the goddess.
Stack sizes have been increased in v7, because I agree that the stack sizes were a little small.
Grid based placement isn't something I will add, and the controls are going to stay the way they are.