Using old file cabinet as tool stand

[W_KY]

So I seem to to see old 2 drawer file cabinets on craigslist all the time. They are normally cheap at <$20 if even that. I was planing to build myself a stand for my Milwaukee 12" sliding compound miter saw but I just thought "why not use one of those as a cheap base" I could drop it on something like this and be in business. (or maybe even just a $8 furniture dolly)

http://www.harborfreight.com/300-lb-capacity-mobile-base-95288.html

What drawbacks am I not thinking of.

If the top isn't big enough I could just make a platform that sits on top.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

its going to be wobbly once you have a large board on it, i have a 12 ridgid slider and its heavy, i wouldnt trust my 500 dollar saw on a 20 dollar makeshift stand, just pick up a used stand or build one, other negative is going to be the working height

 

[Goobzilla]

I use one to set my plasma cutter on top of and use the drawers for all my welding stuff (gloves, clamps, consumables, etc.)

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

The units can be made to be a bit more stiff, but their biggest issue is their lack of mass. They will skitter all over unless you weigh it down at the bottom. Fill it up with all your loose nuts and bolts, or other heavy items and it should help out.

If it's wobbly, bolt some plywood to the sides and back to reinforce it. But by the time you do that, you're already into the price of a dedicated tool stand.

Other metal stands that can work to your advantage are those meant for photocopiers to sit on if they don't have lower paper decks/trays installed. Those are designed to hold several hundred pounds of machinery and offer nice storage as well.

 

[W_KY]

Well that knocks that idea out which I'm fine with. Now the question is to build one, which shouldn't be hard, or to buy the PC one listed in Hot Deals.

I think I'll just build one. I'm not too keen on the idea of my heavy expensive saw hanging there.

 

[abumason]

Great minds think alike... or something like that.

I'm using one right now on a HF furniture dolly to hold my welder (flux-core - no bottle).

Welding supplies and safety gear is in the drawers.

It's working for now, but is not a permanent solution. Just haven't had the time to fab up a proper cart.