Thread: One for Neil

I'm making a bespoke hall stand with King Billy Pine legs and rails and Huon Pine Aprons and Top, Both soft timbers - more so the King Billy.

I've been reading up on finishes in Neils excellent Polisher's Handbook. I thought I'd put shellac on as a sanding sealer then finish with U-beaut Traditional Wax.

In Neil's method , after the shellac has dried, it recommends sanding back with 400 to 600 grit paper with a little dishwashing detergent. Then waxing.

My query is: As the two timbers I've used are so soft would it be better to sand back with say 1500-2000 grit to avoid sanding back to raw timber? And would it be better to hand sand than using the Festo ROS?

Sound advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
Shedding in the shed makin'good stuff.