Crafting Magic Weapon question

[Xavram5]

From the rule book, it states...

The DC to create a magic item is 5 + the caster level for the item.

This makes sense for say, adding a strength enchantment to an item (Bull's Strength spell level, figure out what the caster level is for that, add 5). But what about just making a weapon +1? What's the "caster level" for that? Farther along in the rule book for creating magic items, I saw something about "x3 the enchantment", so is the caster level for a +1 weapon 3, +2 6, etc, etc? This seems very low, I mean...

+1 Weapon, 5 + 3, DC = 8...why even bother having a DC of 8? just take 10 on your roll and you'll never fail.

My party is only now getting into item creation, someone recently took the feat, so we're all kind of flailing around...thanks!

[Some call me Tim]

Xavram5 wrote:

+1 Weapon, 5 + 3, DC = 8...why even bother having a DC of 8? just take 10 on your roll and you'll never fail.

The rules are telling you that any hedge mage can make a +1 sword.

The caster level is used in other places that have nothing to do with crafting, for example an unattended object's saving throw.

[Reecy]

OK when it comes to creating Magic stuffs here are the basics

From Magic Item Descriptions (Caster Level): For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell but not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the item itself. In this case, the creator's caster level must be as high as the item's caster level (and prerequisites may effectively put a higher minimum on the creator's level).

From Creating Magic Armor: Creating magic armor has a special prerequisite: The creator's caster level must be at least three times the enhancement bonus of the armor. If an item has both an enhancement bonus and a special ability, the higher of the two caster level requirements must be met. Magic armor or a magic shield must have at least a 1 enhancement bonus to have any armor or shield special abilities.

Creating a magic weapon has a special prerequisite: The creator's caster level must be at least three times the enhancement bonus of the weapon. If an item has both an enhancement bonus and a special ability, the higher of the two caster level requirements must be met. A magic weapon must have at least a 1 enhancement bonus to have any melee or ranged special weapon abilities.

The actual equation is 5 + caster x 3 + 1000 Gold per day you are working on it.... And that can get costly quickly based on the actual crafting level of the maker if they have a low craft check it can take weeks.