Could you be more specific about reproduction steps for the first issue? I used this mod first in a game where I already had combinators, and a quick test with Editor Extensions gave me the buffer combinator.
Repro steps for locked recipe issue:
1. Start a map without Buffer combinator mod.
2. Unlock tech until combinators.
3. Save game.
4. Enable Buffer combinator mod.
5. Load the game - user will not be able to craft buffer combinator, even though the tech is unlocked.
You can do a "is tech unlocked for force? -> unlock recipe for force" step in the on_configuration_changed handler to react to migration and tech modification due to startup configuration changes.