Stringing a Kobra Tour...grommets too close!

[Eugene Girshtel]

I have a Laserfibre MS200TT stringing machine. I bought two Wilson Kobra Tour racquets recently and wanted to string one up today. I placed the racquet on my machine and centered the racquet with the dot that is usually placed in the dead center of the racquet (divides the mains). My machine uses a 5 point mount system in which one of the mounts is screwed into position at the "dot" or center of the racquet. The grommets near the dot are so close together on the Kobra that I can't use that 5th mount! Anyone else experience this? I need to figure out how to handles this situation.

 

[BurghKing]

The grommets are close buy you can still string it. I keep the adapter that goes between the first grommets a millimeter or two away from the frame. When you pull the tension it will move into place on the frame and spread the grommets apart. You will just have to use your thumb to push on the bumper guard to keep the grommets from sliding out. It is not the best design, but after you string it a few times the grommets will widen enough and be ok.

 

[Bud]

I have a Laserfibre MS200TT stringing machine. I bought two Wilson Kobra Tour racquets recently and wanted to string one up today. I placed the racquet on my machine and centered the racquet with the dot that is usually placed in the dead center of the racquet (divides the mains). My machine uses a 5 point mount system in which one of the mounts is screwed into position at the "dot" or center of the racquet. The grommets near the dot are so close together on the Kobra that I can't use that 5th mount! Anyone else experience this? I need to figure out how to handles this situation.

Pics!

I've never seen grommets that close together... even on a Pro Kennex Micro mid.

I pulled up the TW pic of the Kobra... and those grommets are really close at 12 o'clock. Does your machine have a threaded rod at that location to secure the nylon bushing (that the frame mounts against)?

Just pulled up a large pic of your machine and I notice the threaded rod that contains the white bushing is pretty wide. When you look through the two grommet holes at the 12 o'clock position... you can only see the threaded rod? If so, you may have to thread the string through and just let it touch the threaded rod.

 

[Eugene Girshtel]

I've attached two pics. The white 5th mount is operated by a rod screw. The first picture shows the white mount before I start screwing it closer to the frame. The second picture shows the white mount being forced/jammed between the two grommets. You can also see the screwing mechanism clearly in the second pic. Sorry for the low quality pics as my cell phone was used. I guess I might just have to force the mount against the frame and the grommets will break in after a certain period. I can't believe Wilson didn't think of this issue during QA.

 

[Eugene Girshtel]

Just finished string the racquet. I was not able to use my 5th mounting point even after stringing the center mains. The grommets were simply too close to allow the mount to pass through. I guess I'll be forced to leave the 5th mount out Well, unless I customize my mount and narrow it.

 

[Bud]

I've attached two pics. The white 5th mount is operated by a rod screw. The first picture shows the white mount before I start screwing it closer to the frame. The second picture shows the white mount being forced/jammed between the two grommets. You can also see the screwing mechanism clearly in the second pic. Sorry for the low quality pics as my cell phone was used. I guess I might just have to force the mount against the frame and the grommets will break in after a certain period. I can't believe Wilson didn't think of this issue during QA.

Just finished string the racquet. I was not able to use my 5th mounting point even after stringing the center mains. The grommets were simply too close to allow the mount to pass through. I guess I'll be forced to leave the 5th mount out Well, unless I customize my mount and narrow it.

Yeah, I see what you mean... tight fit, there :shock:

BTW, how do you like the Kobra?

 

[Eugene Girshtel]

Hey Bud,

I've tried the Kobra through the demo program and fell in love with it. I currently play with my trusty Prostaff 6.1 Classics but it was time for a change. I felt that the 6.1 frames were getting too flexible (probably after restringing them for all these years I had them). I demoed a few racquets and the Kobra stood way out. The Kobra plays similar to the 6.1 but has the added stiffness I was looking for. Also, the decreased weight helped my swing speed increase (I have long loopy strokes). This racquet definitely felt like it gives you pure control over your shots. I'm a NTRP 4.5 - 5.0.

I can't wait to try out the Kobra after I personally strung it

 

[rosheem]

I have the same problem with my Kobra Tour racquets on my Gamma Progression drop-weight machine.

I just don't use the top mount and it seems that the other 5 mounts are sufficient.

I was surprised that Wilson wouldn't have figured this out, though.

To Eugene: you mentioned that you liked the stiffness of the Kobra Tour. I thought that was an interesting comment, since I initially demoed the Kobra Tour because it is quite flexible. I was looking for a more arm-friendly frame, so I demoed about 8 racquets with flex ratings of 60 or less. The Kobra Tour turned out to be the winner.

 

[Eugene Girshtel]

I have the same problem with my Kobra Tour racquets on my Gamma Progression drop-weight machine.

I just don't use the top mount and it seems that the other 5 mounts are sufficient.

I was surprised that Wilson wouldn't have figured this out, though.

To Eugene: you mentioned that you liked the stiffness of the Kobra Tour. I thought that was an interesting comment, since I initially demoed the Kobra Tour because it is quite flexible. I was looking for a more arm-friendly frame, so I demoed about 8 racquets with flex ratings of 60 or less. The Kobra Tour turned out to be the winner.

Compared to my prostaff 6.1's which are old and hobbled, the Kobra seemed much much stiffer (In a good way). Maybe I should say that Kobra feels more "solid" and provides the right amount of feedback to my hands.