Goirish,
Hi. I just am finishing setting up verticle and bow type cutters and home made swing arm table. Can't add to much but a couple things I picked up on are;
stainless steel fishing leader works great .022g or close (some are coated but it burns off easily)
U control wire is the same thing or works just as well and no coating
(the ^$ wires such as tungsten are preferred by guys doing LOTS of cores)
Thinner wire lets a smaller XFMR work well
letting the wire go slowly gives better end product...smaller kerf or melt out (cleaner TEs)
The less the bowing of the hot wire while cutting the better....use just enough but not to much weight, be patient
Sliding patio door rollers from Lowes make good swing arm table pulleys (the ball bearings ones)
Wives don't like foam cutting smells[]