Here is a video, from the Editors of "Make" magazine outlining how to D.I.Y. a hot-wire foam cutter made with scrap lumber and a model-train transformer. These instructions can be easily adapted to a different sized cutter or different configuration -- and while I have not tried yet I think you could easily make this into a hand-held cutter without straining the brain-cells much:
Here is a very nice, clear, well-made video tutorial on how to play a Warmachine game. I think it is well done, and gives clear, concise instructions and explanations: