Fixing damaged membrane ribbon on Model M without bolt-mod?

[keycap]

I have a Model M that is in practically mint condition, but the membrane's ribbon connector bent and snapped in a few places. The socket on the controller is otherwise fine, and there are practically no broken rivets.

The membrane ribbon got damaged by some force when I was cleaning the ribbon contacts. The cuts are near the end of the ribbon so I can trim some of it off.. if that would even work. I'm sure trying to solder something on a membrane is a terrible idea, so I'll hold off on that.

Lately I've been using a decent White Alps board, and I'll have a BTC dome with sliders board coming in the mail tomorrow, but I really miss typing on a Model M. Hopefully there's some kind of quick fix to this. Not too enthusiastic about bolt-modding and replacing the membrane.

[alh84001]

Your best bet is probably copper tape. Take a look at this thread
workshop-f7/does-anyone-has-a-suggestio ... t9072.html

[XMIT]

I like silver paste more than copper tape for membrane repairs.

[alh84001]

The silver paste is great if you get breaks on the membrane traces (inside the assembly), but I don't think you can use it for the insulated ribbon cable part that is outside of the assembly. I think copper tape would work (never used it), and ghetto methods like taping a wire or folded tin foil work too (tried them both myself )

[XMIT]

Sure you can. Peel the layers apart and you'll expose raw traces on the ribbon cable part that comes out of the assembly. Unless of course the break is right where the ribbon cable hits the plate, that's harder to get to. That ribbon cable is nothing more than an extension of the rest of the membrane.

[keycap]

The break is near the end, so it should be easy to expose. I'll try messing with it this afternoon.

[keycap]

The ribbon isn't separating, seems like it's all just one piece. How do I get this coating off of it?