The Tool Bro is a compact scissor, plier, and knife holder designed for kayaks and boats. It securely holds braid scissors, 8-inch pliers, small knives, fish grips, and similar tools, keeping your essentials organised and within easy reach. It’s super easy to install on any flat surface using screws, adhesive, double-sided tape or velcro. The Tool Bro works perfectly on its own or as part of the Side Bro modular system for a cleaner, more efficient cockpit on the water. One of the best features of the Tool Bro is the ability to customize setup, along with the variety of mounting options to suit your individual needs, which is what these instructions are all about!
Planning The Fit Out, Without Side Bro
Mounting should begin with some careful planning and consideration. Whilst drilling and using screws will provide the most secure mounting solution, it is also rather permanent, as holes can’t always be filled if you need to remove your Tool Bro. This is especially a consideration in smaller boats, where desired mounting solutions might mean drilling holes right through a hull! This is where silicone, double-sided tape, or Velcro will be a much better option. These instructions are specifically for users who have decided to utilise the supplied 10g stainless steel screws (or your own bolts and nuts) as the method of fixing.
It is important with drilling that you follow your boat or kayak manufacturer’s guidelines. We have outlined best practices in this guide; it pays to double-check yourself.
Installation Steps
Step 1 – Before starting, you should map out where you want your Tool Bro to mount, ensuring it will fit without obstruction and that drilling through those points will not damage anything on the other side.
Step 2 – Use a straight edge, ruler, or level, along with a Sharpie pen, to mark where your Tool Bro will mount.
Step 3 A – (For aluminium boats or mounting to plastic surfaces only) use a centre punch and hammer to lightly indent the desired hole positions.
Step 3 B – (For fibreglass boats only) do NOT centre punch. Use only a sharp 3.5mm drill bit (HSS or carbide), apply painter’s tape to prevent chipping, and start the drill in reverse with a pilot hole. Use only slow drill speeds and light pressure.
Step 4 – (For aluminium boats or mounting to plastic surfaces only) To use the 5 x 10g self-tapping screws, screw utilise a 3.5mm drill to drill the 2 holes. We recommend drilling a smaller pilot hole first. If opting to use screws and nuts, your final hole size should be 5.5 mm.
Step 5 – Align the Tool Bro front and backing plate with the two holes you have drilled. Pass through all three holes with the 2 x M5-20mm bolts, and utilise the flat washers and M5 nuts to secure. Utilise a Phillips-head screwdriver and 8mm socket or spanner. Tighten the screws firmly. If utilising the self-tapping screws, firmly tighten
Congratulations, your Tool Bro is ready to use!.
