Drum sander (thickness) - any experience with a shop-made tool?

I have made a recent foray into shop-sawn veneers.  I have resawn some thermally modified ash, and laid up the veneer on two panels that will be the 24x30ish side panels of a bathroom vanity.  These were not perfect, but my errors have been mostly recoverable and serviceable panels will result.

In looking long term I can see that I may make use of shop-sawn veneers in future projects - I see a dresser on my list of possible projects.  A drum sander (for thickness not for sanding curves) might be a great way to even up the veneer slices.  I am not inclined to purchase a commercial tool for footprint. cost, and low usage reasons.  

Does anyone have user experience with a shop-made drum sander?  Critiques or raves?  

I am unlikely to need wide capacity (8" of so should be fine?) and have some plywood, a motor, and some bearings already.  I have watched a few videos of how to make these, across the range of levels of sophistication.  I'd just like to hear about actual experience.  
 anticipate use primarily with veneer slices to take care of thickness inconsistencies - not so much with larger pieces.  I have a 12" Belsaw planer for true timber thicknessing (that is a little buried not-so-accessible in the corner of my shop, but very usable if I need it).

Henry