4.26.2008

Wacom's Graphire 4 Rubber Grip Problems

Okay, last year I had to buy a new Wacom graphics tablet because mine had already died after years and years of servitude. So I got a Graphire 4. It's AMAZING, everything works perfectly.

That is until a few months ago. See the Graphire pen has this rubber grip. It's really a good thing cause it makes the pens easier to hold. Problem with them is, they start to "melt" and tear. Yep, mine looks like it was nuked in the oven for a couple of minutes. It also tears pretty easily.





Now how such a great and big company like Wacom makes such a big boo boo, I dunno. I've scoured the internet looking for a replacement pen but alas, only Intuos pens have them ad they certainly won't fit a Graphire 4 pen. So I emailed Grandtech, Wacom distributor for Malaysia.

"Sorry, Wacom does not sell replacement rubber grip for any of the Wacom pens. You would have to purchase a whole new Grip Pen."

That's it. One measly line! I've got a perfectly working pen (albeit, one that doesn't look good cause of the rubber grip) and they want me to buy a new pen? So what am I gonna do with the one that I already have, chuck it into the trash can? Tsk tsk, I hope Wacom does something about this. I'm not the only one with this problem so obviously this is a manufacturing fault.

If anyone has any problems with the rubber grips, I suggest you all email Wacom about it so they open their eyes and do something about this yucky problem!

13 comments:

Kat said...

I have a similar problem with my pen's rubber grip. It works fine, but it's starting to look very ugly and it isn't very comfortable to hold... kind of like it flakes dirt when you hold it. Tried cleaning it but it creates groves and nicks on the rubber, which I don't want to happen, so I'm sort of bearing with the dirt. Gah.

Googled my problem and got your blog. You're an awesome artist! I'm on DA too.

Hadibi @ gndagnor said...

Don't forget to email Wacom Asia about the problem! And put a review on your DA hehe

Anonymous said...

Yeah I have the same problem.. Have emailed wacom Europe and Asia with no response at all. Kinda sucks.
Richard
South Africa

Unknown said...

Urgh, I know the exact same feeling. I've got a rubber grip which is now in 5 pieces held on by sellotape. Originally it started in the exact same way as yours did up there. Now its not even recognisable. I've tried emailing them ages ago, but all they suggested doing is sending it back while it was under warrenty. All i wanna do is buy a replacement grip! Why should we have to either send the whole fully functioning thing back off to them, or even worse, buy a whole new pen for one weak spot?

Anonymous said...

I had the same thing happen. I ended up wrapping elastic band at the top and another one towards the bottom (avoiding the buttons!). Not the prettiest solution but it grips well.

TXL Zone said...

I have a white Wacom Graphire 4. I have the same issue. The rubber is like disintegrating away day by day. I will have to buy a new pen soon because it's getting really gross.

Unknown said...

I tried contacting Wacom about it on two seperate occasions, but never really got anywhere with it. So instead i've just taken the grip off all together.. and cleaned up the adhesive residue. Fortunatly once its cleaned up, the pen works perfectly fine without it.. and its not a problem not having it at all. It just looks rather ugly.

Rubs troll said...

Same problem here.

Anonymous said...

My Graphire CTE 440 white pen started cracking and flaking after less than a year of usage. I put small tape around it. Made it a bit slippery but worked. From time to time tape comes off and takes big pieces of rubber with it.
I cannot afford a new tablet, every two years, and I don't feel awarding Wacom for its bad quality manufacturing. I'll probably take all the pieces off and clean them. Has anyone experimented with craft air foam? That colored stuff you find for decoration and kid's craft? may do a good (looking) job.

Anonymous said...

Same problem. I consider buying cork at the creative shop and then glueing it with second-glue.

Anonymous said...

I already replaced my complete pen once, and again the rubber grip is falling apart. Isn't there anyone selling just the rubber grips?

Donna said...

I have the same problem whereby both of my Wacom Graphire4 pens' rubber grips have become warped (with only normal use under cool UK conditions) to the point where the buttons are now obstructed and no longer function.

Could someone who has removed the rubber grip upload a photo please? I am considering removing the rubber but would like to check how it would look first.

Anonymous said...

Similar problem with the grip just crumbling to dust. I went out to the office supply place and found a cheep ink pen with a nice gooy rubber grip. With a little work I was able to pull the ink pen apart and remove the rubber. Slipped the rubber over the Wacom pen and with an exacto knife cut a couple hole for the buttons.

Works pretty well and cost about $8.00

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