Question
Do the different choices of lacquer make a difference in the time taken for it to dry? Does it take hours or days for the lacquer to set?
and
B How long does it normally take to fix one piece from start to finish?

Shinurushi (synthetic), and cashew lacquer will dry in a normal room environment and dry within a day or two. Natural lacquer needs a warm and humid environment and takes between 2-4 days to dry, sometimes longer depending on the quality of the lacquer, the temperature and humidity. Generally speaking the higher the quality of the lacquer the longer it can take to dry.

B It depends on the complexity of the break but it can take between 2 weeks to 2 months to do a repair. A very complex break can take a year or so depending on your skill level.