The faint smell of ozone still clung to my fingers. That’s always the tell, you know? The smell that means you’ve just wrestled with something electrical, something angry, and somehow… won. Today’s battlefield: a vintage Leica M6.

I’m talking about a full re-lubrication of the shutter mechanism, a delicate ballet of tiny gears and precise springs. Requires the right tools. More specifically, it requires sockets. And, frankly, I’ve used some awful socket sets in my time. Cheapo steel that rounds off even before you’ve achieved a proper torque. Brittle stuff that shatters when you lean on it. This Craftsman 3/8-inch set? I approached it with a degree of… weary optimism.

Right out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the weight. Solid. Not the cheap, hollow feel of some imports. It screams American steel. The twelve-point design is perfect for working on older, more stubborn fasteners. Six-point sockets can strip heads quicker than you can say “over-torqued.” Crucially, this set includes both metric and standard sizes. A necessity, truly, when dealing with legacy equipment. Trust me on this: you’ll be cursing the lack of a specific size if you don’t have it on hand.

The deep sockets are a godsend. They allow you to get at those recessed bolts that hide in the shadow of a lens mount or the bowels of a camera body. The quality of the chrome plating is noticeable – a smooth, almost velvety finish that resists rust and makes for easy cleanup. Speaking of which, the case. It’s functional, keeping everything organized, but it’s… plastic. A bit flimsy, honestly. I’d prefer a metal case, but hey, you can’t have everything for this price. And, truth be told, I’d probably upgrade the case eventually anyway.

I put it to the test, and the Craftsman sockets did the job. No rounding, no snapping, just pure, unadulterated grip. The chrome plating makes it nice and easy to wipe down. I even used it to adjust the focus on a vintage projector lens, where space is tighter than a gnat’s… well, you get the idea. I’m slightly more particular about tools than most, but this is a solid set, and it’s a bargain for the price.

If you’re a hobbyist or a professional repair technician who works on classic cameras, vintage car equipment, or anything mechanical that demands precision, then this Craftsman set is a worthy investment. Go grab it. You won’t regret it. Your future self will thank you for it, believe me. You will.