Awesome Construction

Freefly Systems’ Flying Sun industrial drone provides a large field of illumination from the sky. Built for nighttime construction, security, and emergency applications, the single-operator quadrotor outputs up to 300,000 lumens, lighting areas from 10,000 to 100,000 sq.ft. or more. It can also be tethered to an EV or generator for extended runtime.

Installing tiles in a bathroom sounds like a fairly mundane task, but this TikTok video posted by mishauspeh1980 proves that a job well done can be incredibly satisfying to watch. Every step of the process is so smooth in this time-lapse clip, from applying cement to cutting holes to placing each tile precisely with the help of suction cups and spacers.

We love Hacksmith Industries’ YouTube channel. They also have a store that sells gadgets, toys, brand merch, and books. The Handyman Pocket Reference Book belongs in every home, workshop, and work site. It’s packed with facts and figures used in carpentry, construction, and repairs, info about hardware, wiring, building techniques, and more.

Quantum Tech HD introduces us to the work of Vang Hà, a hobbyist who creates functional scale models of trucks and construction equipment from PVC pipes that he heats and bends into flat sheets. This video condenses his months-long quest to build a remote-controlled CAT 390F excavator down to about 20 minutes.

Building construction often requires the assembly of scaffolding. Depending on the height and complexity of the installation, scaffolding work can be one of the most dangerous and awe-inspiring jobs. Ajit Pyrrhic posted this reel showcasing some of the men and women who spend their workdays climbing and hanging in precarious positions.

This tiny working excavator looks and moves just like the real thing. The 1/64-scale remote-controlled Nano TRX N320 is fully functional, with articulated arms, moving tracks, and a bucket for scooping up small piles of dirt. Register now to reserve your spot for the $99 Kickstarter launch price.

This versatile hand tool facilitates several demolition tasks in one. Its uniquely-shaped head and handle can grab and yank out 2x4s, extract nails, chisel and punch holes in building materials, and more. It’s also got a built-in magnetic nail holder and a soft, injection-molded handle that provides a firm grip and absorbs shock.

YouTuber DIY Garage has built several miniature houses using scaled-down bricks and cinder blocks. For this project, they used Mini Materials to construct a place that any bird would be proud to call home. The base of the birdhouse is made from brick and mortar, while the second floor is wood. The roof even has teensy shingles.

Developed by researchers at the University of East London, Grimshaw, and Tate & Lyle Sugars, Sugarcrete is an eco-friendly alternative to bricks and concrete. It’s made of sugarcane fibers and a bespoke sand and mineral mixture. The resulting block is significantly lighter, cheaper, and uses only up to 20% of the carbon footprint of a concrete block.

If you need to re-pave a street, you typically need to reduce lanes and redirect traffic around the construction site. Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) shows us a modern method for resurfacing that directs traffic over the work zone by erecting a temporary bridge. The modular ASTRA flyover bridge can be driven into place to minimize setup time.

Whether you’re a DIYer or a construction pro, understanding math and geometry is critical. DEWALT’s reference guide includes 42 pages of useful equations and rules which will help you measure twice and cut once. Made from durable, toolbox-friendly materials with a spiral-bound edge. Also available for plumbing and wiring.

Art of Engineering explains how the tall construction cranes used to build skyscrapers are able to increase their own height. The process known as “climbing” a tower crane requires precision and patience and can be incredibly dangerous if not done properly.

We drive past construction sites all the time and see all kinds of heavy machinery. But most of us have no idea what the difference is between a bulldozer, a skid-steer, and an excavator. Practical Engineering offers a concise explanation of the jobs each of these machines is designed for.

Say you need to cover a wall with cement. You could get on a ladder to reach the parts above your head, or you could do like this show-off from working on a house in Brazil, and simply toss trowels full of the stuff into place from the ground. His aim is spot-on, but we’re guessing his arm is sore at the end of the day.

If you need to move a building or another large structure, you need specialized industrial equipment. Mammoet’s Self-Propelled Modular Transporters can be used individually or in combination to transport enormous and heavy structures. Recently, they combined 604 SPMT axle lines to move a 16,258-ton support frame.

The creators of PIXIO magnetic building blocks have invented another fun toy for building 3D art. VOXART uses lightweight panels which click together to create life-size voxel art. They fold flat, so you can store thousands without taking up much space. Sign up for a pre-launch discount, or get notified on Kickstarter.