Hi
Resistance wire comes in a wide range of mixs, Iconel.Copel ect.ect. These are mixes of iron nickel copper , the wire is labled by mix and ohms per foot for what ever ga. This lets you use ohms law to determine the heat you want to produce, how many amps you want to use and what voltages you use. If your wire is glowing red and is not a heavy gauge then the manufacture recommends that you use wire supports, if it red it's close to melting or drooping. The spec sheet will give you information on heat temp of the type of wire you use....it's sort of a backward thing.. determine what temp you need then work backwards to find a wire size that will meet volt amp and turning red or not.... the material is not made by a lot of companys for sale in a raw package... bar,rod, spool and sheet. The price is by the pound some surpluse dealers will have some to sell but the price it by the foot ..the ones that i have seen.....which will be more than the pound price.
If you need a small amount thats ok but they will not have a large selection to work with
joe