IBM Model M Keyboard Membrane Replacement
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- Опубликовано: 2 мар 2024
- My IBM Model M has served as my main keyboard for what is quickly approaching a decade. In all those years, I haven't had so much a hiccup out of it--until rather recently. Within the past six months, its once reliable operation began to be anything but, with more keys failing to register correctly with each passing day. Upon further inspection, a great many of the plastic rivets that hold the internals together had failed, sitting loosely on the bottom of the case.
As is known as bolt-modding a Model M, those plastic rivets can be replaced with much more durable bolts, nuts, and washers. After performing the bolt-mod for the very first time (complete with a few blunders along the way), that was seemingly all that was necessary to get my keyboard operational again... at least for a number of months. Eventually, however, the same misbehavior soon returned with a vengeance. It got to the point where the entire keyboard was totally unusable.
Recalling how questionable the traces on the membrane looked when I had everything disassembled during the bolt-mod process, for around $25 shipped, I elected to buy a brand new membrane directly from Unicomp, the folks that continue to produce the "new" Model M.
Unfortunately, the only caveat of replacing the membrane is that the keyboard does need to be disassembled quite extensively, something that I could've avoided doing twice if had opted to replace the membrane during the bolt-mod process.
I'm pleased to report that with its new membrane, my Model M has been returned to 100% operational condition. I suspect that its original membrane would've continued to work flawlessly had liquid not worked its way inside during an extensive, yet obviously ill-fated cleaning of it many months prior to this whole debacle. Live and learn!
#ibm #mechanicalkeyboard #keyboard 
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Thank you for this video! I tore the membrane on my model m attempting to clean it. Had some trepidation replacing it with the unicomp replacement. This was super informative.
Good work. You've answered a couple of my questions. My model M has keys that have just started working intermittently. I feel better watching your solution vids.
you've grown so much
I’m sure it took a long time to do, but I’m also sure that it was definitely worth it. Even though I haven’t really restored/cleaned an older keyboard like this one, I know how long it can take. It’s worth it though, I’ve still got keyboards needing attention, mainly just a good clean, but the effort it worth it as it always seems like I need another keyboard somewhere. I’m sure this’ll easily continue to just work. Great video!
Before learning of the availability of replacement membranes, it was really beginning to look like this keyboard would need to be forever shelved due to its unreliability. However, it’s been working flawlessly since this repair. With it now having a new membrane along with it being bolt-modded, it’s ready for another few decades of reliable service. It definitely was tedious, but it was absolutely worth the effort.
Nice! I didn’t know replacements were available, cool to see this one completely restored! It’s definitely worth it for a keyboard like this.
What are you filming this on?
Nice answer to my sony radio bye leaving
This channel isn't my job. I haven't uploaded a video for the last two months because I've been busy with life. This channel isn't my job. Yours and many other viewers' comments haven't yet been replied to because I haven't had the time to reply to them, but I've planned to do so as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
As a matter of fact, I need to replace the dial light in mine after it burned out several years ago. Just like you discovered, there isn't any online documentation showing what to do. Knowing my luck, the bulb is probably permanently soldered in place and will need some effort to be replaced. That radio's dial light replacement has been on the backburner, so I can't speak with any authority on how to actually replace the bulb.
TL;DR I wasn't ignoring you. I get comments every day from people seeking technical advice, but there's only so much time in the day. If I haven't replied, I'm not ignoring you--I just haven't had the chance to sift through the comments and get back to those that warrant a reply.
Is there any way to contact you ?? Can't find your email. SOS
It’s on the about page of my channel. You might need to solve a captcha to reveal it, however.
It seems they changed things slightly. On my main channel page where it shows my description, clicking it will review the full details that used to be under the about page. Therein lies my email address!
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