I built one of these before anyone even offered the whole machine.
About 6 or 7 years ago a fellow out of Canada was selling just the
roller and you had to put one together yourself. I built a "floor
model" out of MDF, some pillow blocks, a vbelt and a 1/4 hp motor. It
worked fine and, you are right, it does a good job containing its dust
even without a dust collector (although I hooked one up to it).

Probably the question more appropriate would be "do I need a drum
sander if I have one of these?" It really would be a poor man's drum
sander. It would take a long time to do what a drum sander does with a
sand flee, but it is a good way to touch up small parts and could work
as a drum sander. When I built my arts and crafts bed:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCF2075.jpg

I used the sand flee to do the balustrades you see on the headboard
and footboard. It worked very well.

I don't use it very much any more. Probably should give it a try
again, but I have a drum sander now and it just seems easier to use
that.

I guess I would like to hear what some other people do with their's.
Does anyone else have one that also has a drum sander? What do you
find yourself using it for?