[Robert Adams]

Just completed installing about 700 sq of 2.25" T&G 1/4 sawn white oak. Have about another 1500sq ft to go. Used the square orbiter pictured above for that; drum roller would be way over kill. I too, don't have a real comfort level with a drum roller and it's a very rare to find a flooring person that is too. Found out the hard way! Used a hand held orbiter to do the corners and to get tight in some of the edges. I pulled out all the existing 1/4 round molding prior to sanding and just replaced it.
Put 3 coats of water base finish and sanded, wiped and used a dampened cloth in between. The finish dries within about 2 hours so doing 3 coats in a day is a piece of cake. Looks great if I do say so myself!

We're sanding one day, finishing the other, or if you are really full of energy the 700 sq ft job I did could be done in one very long day with a helper.

We are doing the old flooring one room (two old bedrooms & living room) at a time and moving family members around for two days per room. Using the same square orbital sander. The old finish is so bad I could probably wipe it off with a scrubby sponge, but using the orbiter instead.
Using the same finish as we used on the new stuff so it matches up.

HD rents the sanders for around $80 a day and I already own a hand orbital sander. I went to a flooring supply place for the finish and other tools required in the finishing process. They know what you need and have been pretty helpful in educating me in the whole process.

Definitely can refinish the floors if you are handy. If not pay someone. Good floors are a real must and they show a good job or bad a whole bunch more than say, painting a wall. Walls are much more forgiving!
Good luck!