I got the heaters for my roller project from McMaster-Carr.
Also I picked up a bit of woven fiberglass (neat-resistant) sleeving.
The reason for the sleeving is that the heating rods may need to be supported along the length, and I didn't know if the nichrome was surface-conductive or not.
What is the best way to cut the fiberglass sheathing to keep it from unraveling? I tried sticking it into the flame on the gas kitchen stove and it burns down a bit that way.... I have an oxy-acetylene torch around (which of course will do it) but wondered if anyone who worked with it a lot knows of a better method.