Using a PC power supply as a general bench power supply

[Chris]

Saw an interesting article at http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply ...

"Computer power supplies cost around US$15, but lab power supplies can run you $100 or more! By converting the cheap (free) ATX power supplies that can be found in any discarded computer, you can get a phenomenal lab power supply with huge current outputs, short circuit protection, and very tight voltage regulation."

Does anyone here who knows more about electronics have any opinions on this article?  Is this a neat idea or a dangerous, stupid one?

--Chris

[somunny]

I used this tutorial and it worked like a charm.  I mainly needed it for testing 12v led arrays but you can power circuits up to 24v also.

Steve