What sanding progression do you guys use to get the best results staining maple. I currently drum with 36, then 36 edge, then 50 drum, then 50 and 80 edge, then 80 drum, followed by palming the edges with a 60 grit palm paper which acts as an 80 but doe not leave swirls. Finally, I buff with an 80 screen. Then I water pop. I am just wondering if their are any easier methods to avoid all of the palm sanding.

We very rarely stain maple unless we have a signed waiver accepting the uneven appearance, 3 times in 16 years.
I would leave my palm sanders and hand sand the edges with our last belt from the big sander. Really not an easy process but gets great results.