Sanding before sealer/finish?

Hey guy's,
I'm in the process of building my first cue (a break cue) to see if this is a hobby I should throw a crap load of money at. I have the butt all assembled and final tapered, and I'm ready to sand out the small cutter marks and imperfections before sealer and finish. My question is what grit do most of you stop at before putting the sealer on? I was going to start at 150-220 and work my way up, but after 400-600 I would guess that the paper will insta-load-up. Any info is appreciated. I am enjoying this build so far, so I'm guessing I've got tens of thousands of dollars to spend on another hobby. The wife will be so impressed:thumbup2:. I will put photos in the cue gallery once I know it's not a fire poker.
Tom

Thanks

Thanks for the advise from everyone. All very valuable. I don't have much finish woodworking experience other than woodshop in high school, and I may have been self medicating back then. I'm doing this build at work in my spare time to see if I want to start buying equipment for home. I was looking for an excuse to buy a lathe and a mill anyway. I just have to figure out a way to convince my wife that we would be money ahead to build a machine shop in my barn. Thanks again for the help
Tom

seanjonsean said:

hello , what is your choice of sealer before clearcoat?

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This is what I bought to try http://m.woodcraft.com/Product/2004168/8801/Deft-Lacquer-Sanding-Sealer-Quart.aspx, I put some on a test piece of PH and it seams to soak in pretty good with a thick first coat and then couple coats after that. I haven't sanded it out and cleared over the test piece yet, but I will before I tackle the cue. The clearcoat I'm using is the same brand as the sealer. It's what the guy at woodcraft recommended. I will report back if this stuff sucks or not.
Tom