Turning cabinet into beehive

[omnimirage]

Today I removed some a swarm from a cabinet that the owner no longer wanted. She said I could have the cabinet, and I was planning on using the wood to make beehives out of. Though, I wonder; would it be possible to turn it into a beehive itself? There's three wooden slide out drawers, all rather large. I'd have to set it up in a way that the bees were encouraged, more or less, to draw their combs in straight lines. I'm really not sure how feasible this is, or if it's a terrible idea. Advice and insight much appreciated :)

[Michael Bush]

When the comb is attached at the top you can't get the drawers out.  If you flip it upside down, then the comb tends to be attached to what used to be the "bottom" of the drawer (which is now at the top) and you can pull out the drawers.   Still not the easiest hive to work.  I used to use a piece of plywood over a deep langstroth box and that didn't work too bad.  It would probably work slightly better on a "Modified Dadant" 12 frame box.  I would flip it upside down and cut the box around the sides to lift it off and work it.