1987 IBM Model M Keyboard: Membrane Replacement (+ Bolt Mod)

I got fed up with repairing the original membrane on one of my Model M keyboards (part number 1386303, from my IBM 3161 terminal, from 1987). Thankfully I was able to buy a membrane from Unicomp to repair it and it's working great now. I did the bolt mod a long time ago but I remember it vividly and talk about the steps involved in detail here.

[@jgvillan01]

Hey man. I did the same thing with my bolt mod. Didn't put the silicone sheet between the flippers and membrane sheets. My Model M did feel sharper in key presses, and decided to leave it in for a month or so. However, the idea of wearing out the pads got to me, and ended up taking it all apart and putting the layers in the right order, with the silicone layer behind the slippers. There is a noticeable difference, but the longevity is key. Probably why the layer order is the way it is.

[@wyatt8740]

I don't know for sure if it would or wouldn't. It could just be to reduce the noise of an already loud keyboard slightly.