Wagner Office Machines

Having gotten into collecting typewriters, it was hard to find someone who can service and clean them without needing to take out a second mortgage. But with Wagner it's $60 (cash only) for the diagnostic on the machine (and goes to the repair costs). Be advised there can be a wait for your machine to be completed, but the wait is worth it.
Feb 21st, 2023

This place is fantastic, and one of the only shops nowadays that works on typewriters. I brought in a 60's smith corona electra 220 that I got at an estate sale because it was in immaculate condition, but some of the letters repeated and stuck. I called them up and they had a 3-week lead time, which was fine considering it wasn't my daily driver. 3-weeks later I got a call saying it was ready for pick up. I paid a very reasonable amount for an absolutely perfect job. Everything was meticulously cleaned and lubricated and everything worked as it should. I couldn't be happier and it works a dream. Highly recommend. Super friendly employees, I think I dealt with Mr. and Mrs. Wagner and they are wonderful people. 5+ stars.
Nov 8th, 2022

I brought in two IBM Correcting Selectric II typewriters that had not been used for quite a few years. They would turn on, but barely could type a few letters. They were gummed up pretty badly from lack of use. I didn't want to dispose of them. I loved them in high school typing class and I felt they were THE best typewriters ever made and wanted one so badly. I brought both of them to Wagner Office Machines. It took a few weeks; I wasn't in any hurry. When I picked them up, they looked brand new. They were thoroughly cleaned and lubricated. They both type beautifully. The keys are responsive, no lag or sticking whatsoever. They put in new ribbons. I have the same elements and they type perfectly. I type practice drills on them a few times a week to keep them "exercised" and in good working order. The key is, they said, to use them to keep them working. Thanks for the great service.
Nov 21st, 2023

This review is for typewriter repair.I've brought two different typewriters here on two different occasions. Both times the turnaround is between three to five weeks. When you drop it off, they say they will call you with an estimate but that estimate does not come until the tail end of the total time. In other words, they only open up the machine and give you an estimate when they are ready to start work on it. The first machine I brought in was an eBay purchase that worked in fair condition when I received it, but after letting it sit around for a couple years it seemed to cease working at it should. They did repair it to an acceptable degree of workability. I understand that the machine as it was could probably only go so far, but it works fine.The second machine was my dad's old typewriter that used to work beautifully but at some point got really banged up from being dropped or during a move or something; even the guy was kind of amazed at how bent up it got on the inside. The repair is pretty nice. Only minor things that feel were imperfect but again, I understand these are old machines and to an extent there is only so much repairs can do. I can't expect them to be out-of-the-box new.Having said all that, the cost for repairs are reasonable. I couldn't say how much time and effort they truly put into these old typewriters (their focus seems to be office machines) but typewriter repair is extremely hard to come by these days, so it may be worth your while to call them up if you've got an old clackety-clack that you'd like in working order. As a Chicagoan, the drive down definitely sucks (~40 mins from the loop) so hopefully you have more than one machine you can bring in at a time to make it worthwhile.
Aug 2nd, 2021

Beautifully repaired two typewriters for me! Both are vintage are restored and workable now!
Jan 6th, 2021