the bedazzler is different they are not hotfixed they are fixed to the garmet, like a grommet, threw the fabric of the shirt. they are more expensive that hotfix stones and the backing itches against the skin, i tried putting a piece of embroidery stabilizer behind but that didn't work like i wanted it to. i like it better for jeans and thicker fabrics but since i brought my heat press i don't use it anymore too much trouble.
i have no of those hotfix little soilder iron looking things as well and i find that i would let the tip rest on the stone long enought to actually see the glue melt. that they would set in pretty well.
we sell lots of rhinestone t's at the flea markets so we see lots of folks and better safe than sorry because you will have that one customer that has one stone fall off and they will tell everyone they know. so we tell everyone no heat no heat drying. and honestly i think the loose stones hold up better than the pre-designed motifs, maybe in mass producing they use a cheaper glue or less glue, not sure. but i have never had a custom job loose a rhinestone but i have had pre-designs loose a few,especially on baby doll t's with lycra /spandex in them.
i purchase my loose stones from southerngoose dot com, or from dazzlingdesigns dot com but i am wanting to get a better price so if you all have a few more sources let me know as well.
i have also inquired about machines that set stones for you. the big machine i dont thing they have a name is like 37K so that's way out of my budget but there is a smaller machine doesn't work unmanned like the bigger one but i believe it dispenses the rhinestone where you place the wand, not sure yet if you have any knowledge of those types of machines please share.
I would love to keep this discussion going as i know i have questions, comments, suggestions about rhinestone work and there is not a lot of information out there.
thanks in advance