I also do the pre fry method and it works great. You can also boil the potatoes whole and slice them when they're cool, they fry up crispy.
I recently bought a commercial potato slicer and I will say that having them all the same size makes a difference too. Here's what I bought
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/choi.../40747713.html
And here's my next toy I want
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/avan...%20%20120.html