Techniques and tools for assembling and disassembling compactable molds and forming building blocks

A method of removing a molded block from a compactable mold, the method comprising:

• retracting a first tube structure that extends into the molded block through at least one end wall of the compactable mold, such that the at least one end wall remains substantially stationary during the retracting of the first tube structure and such that the molded block remains substantially stationary and supported by a mold base of the compactable mold during the retracting of the first tube structure;
• retracting plural sidewall structure from opposite sides of the compactable mold, the plural sidewall structures each comprising a sidewall and a side tube structure that extends into the molded block through the respective sidewall, and retracting the side tube structures through the respective sidewall before retracting the respective sidewall, wherein each side tube structure is attached to the respective sidewall such that the side tube structure is operable to be moved independently of the respective sidewall without becoming disconnected from the respective sidewall, and the molded block remains substantially stationary and supported by the mold base during the retracting of the plural sidewall structures;
• and
• releasing plural end walls of the compactable mold, such that the mold block remains substantially stationary and supported by the mold base during the releasing of the plural end walls.