Have you tried the right angles template for hst, or the one used/designed by Bonnie Hunter. It's a good template to have. I have, if the pattern calls for lots of hst, used triangles on a roll, or thangles, but to me that's not pp, just a different way of getting many done quickly.
if I'm having a problem with hst, it's the fact that I've gotten "sloppy" with my seam allowance...put mysel back on track, and perfect points......same with FG.
but, I must say, the die cutter system has certainly made these things SO much easier and accurate, with less hassle..for me anyway.