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 silicone as an adhesive.
Step 1 – Before starting, you should map out where you want your Tool Bro to mount, ensuring it will fit without obstruction.
Step 2 – The cleanliness of the mating surface and the Tool Bro is essential to get good adhesion. We recommend the use of isopropyl alcohol or white vinegar and a clean rag to thoroughly prepare the surface.
Step 3 – Use a straight edge, ruler, or level, along with a Sharpie pen to mark where your Tool Bro will mount
Step 4 – Align the backing plate only and utilise one of the M5-12mm screws to pass through the mounting holes and align it with one of M5 nuts. Note, the recessed holes for the M5 nuts are deliberately tight to retain the nuts firmly even when disassembled.
Step 5 – Utilise a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the M5 screws, pulling the nut firmly into its recess in the backing plate. Repeat with the second screw and nut.
Step 6 – Repeat for the other side, ensuring both nuts are firmly seated. Now, remove both M5-12mm screws
Step 7 – Now align the backing plate with the front plate of the Tool Bro, and utilise the same M5 hardware to assemble, tightening firmly with a Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 8 – Apply a continuous bead of silicone to the rear of the Tool Bro, approximately 15mm in from the edge. Don’t overdo this, as it will lead to excessive amounts of silicone to clean up later.
Step 9 – Align and carefully press the Tool Bro into position, guided by the marking you made at Step 3. While the silicone is still wet, you can make small adjustments to the position. If any silicone oozes out from behind the Tool Bro, you can use isopropyl alcohol or white vinegar on a rag to clean up excess.
Step 10 – Utilise strips of electrical tape or masking tape to secure the Tool Bro while the curing of the silicone takes place. Individual curing times will depend upon the product used and atmospheric conditions.
Step 11 – Once dry, remove the tape and enjoy your Tool Bro.
