Steel shot comes in balls, satellites and needles. The problem is that if you have mixed shot with needles, you will tend to get pinpricks on any smooth flat surfaces, but not so noticeably on textures.
If you omit the needles many crevices will remain untreated and look dull. I bought my shot separately from Suttons, mixed it, and then spent a long time removing the needles and blunting them manually.
Manchester minerals are said to have well finished needles in their mixture, but the problem remains to some extent.
Tumblers are not ideal for finishing, but an easy option. Sometimes you can re-sand the flat bits afterwards and finish those with Micro-Mesh, giving you the best of both worlds. Dennis
Yes, you will note, that I learned my lesson too late and had to sort my shot. Now I keep two sets.
As well as that I dropped a barrel of shot (luckily dry), many weeks ago. Despite scanning the room with a strong magnet, some balls are still appearing from under the skirtings.
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