Needle rollers are pretty good as long as you run them on precision ground shaft.

The problem is the thrust needle bearings that tend to go with them are total ass, they break very easily. I replaced them with plastic washers called oilmids or some such and they were much more durable. Efficiency still goes out the window when turning with a setup like that however.. Not that big of a problem with a drum though me thinks!

That drum is looking proper nasty too