Is there a better way to do this? I've found myself stuck using cones with 0 width to create triangles, but for some reason the y-axis always acts weird (If the cone height is 1, I have to put it at y-coordinate 1.333333 to make it even witht he ground, etc.)

Good question. Here Is an easy way I have been able to do It..
2D
1: Primitives/Cylinder.
2: When the option screen opens, slide the 'U' bar to 3.
3D
1: Primitives/cone.
2: Again, slide the 'U' bar to 3.

When making triangles in Blender, I always use cubes. Then I take the top vertices and join them. Very fast for me.