I think the red is too stark. It needs a softer red IMHO.
As for the AccuCut, I prefer to strip piece or use a grid pattern for HSTs. Squaring blocks is not a problem for me.
But if this works for you - that's great. I think it's important to get one's money worth out of an expensive tool. Can you work with your friend, and maybe you could buy some of the dies for the use of the cutter? It seems awfully expensive for just one person.