DeWalt 8" & 10" Pushlock Pliers (2 PK)

First impressions and setup

I tossed this two‑piece set into my plumbing bag for a long weekend of odds and ends—swapping a faucet, replacing a P‑trap, and tightening a few conduit fittings on a garage project. Out of the package, the 8‑inch and 10‑inch DeWalt push‑lock pliers feel stout and tidy. The castings are clean, the teeth are well defined, and the push‑button adjustment tracks smoothly without any grit or play. They’re classic yellow and black, easy to spot in a crowded bucket, and the non‑pinching handle profile is a genuine quality‑of‑life upgrade if you’ve ever caught the web of your hand in a sloppy pivot.

The long‑jaw design is the immediate standout. Compared with a typical tongue‑and‑groove pair, these have a little extra reach and a slightly narrower nose, which helps in tight cabinets and behind sink basins. The trade‑off is that long jaws can flex or wander off the flats if you get ham‑fisted with torque, so technique matters a bit more than with short, blocky jaws.

What’s in the set and where each shines

• 8‑inch pliers: My go‑to for under‑sink work, faucet nuts, hose clamps, and electrical locknuts. The compact size gets into spaces where the 10‑inch simply won’t.
• 10‑inch pliers: More leverage and a wider jaw opening for larger hex nuts, compression fittings, and plumbing unions. Handy for general shop duty—loosening stubborn bolts or holding odd shapes while drilling or grinding.

Both share the same push‑lock mechanism, which lets you dial in a jaw width quickly. The detents are fine enough that I could usually land on a snug setting without hunting around.

Adjustment and one‑handed operation

The push‑lock action is smooth and predictable. With practice, I could open the jaws, tap the button with my thumb, and ratchet through sizes one‑handed while holding a workpiece with the other. A tip that mattered: don’t feather the button. Fully engage the button to move the jaws, release it fully, and then give the jaws a light squeeze before you load the tool. That seat‑and‑squeeze step ensures the pawl catches firmly in the detent.

If I rushed and only half‑set the adjustment, I could get the jaws to jump a notch under heavy squeeze—especially on a smooth chrome nut. That’s user error more than a defect, but it’s worth calling out. Once properly seated, the adjustment held under normal torque for plumbing and electrical tasks.

I also found that aiming for a slightly undersized setting and letting the jaw teeth bite in gave me better control than picking a setting that felt roomy. These aren’t meant to be slip‑n‑slide around the work; they work best when snug.

Grip, bite, and control

On galvanized pipe, brass compression nuts, and zinc‑plated hardware, the bite is confident. The tooth geometry grabs without skating, and the long jaw shape gives you more surface contact when you work across flats. On softer finishes (thin chrome trim nuts, decorative escutcheons), the teeth will mark the surface if you get aggressive, which is true of any serrated plier. A scrap of leather or a wrap of tape preserves the finish when you need to protect visible hardware.

After a few weeks of use, I saw light polishing on the tooth tips—normal break‑in wear—but no chipping or rounding that affected performance. As with any serrated pliers, if you habitually wrench on hardened fasteners or use them as a substitute for a pipe wrench on heavy steel, you’ll accelerate tooth wear. For pipe work beyond light service, I’d still reach for a dedicated pipe wrench.

Ergonomics and comfort

The non‑pinching handle shape works. I never got a skin nip, and the profile distributes pressure well. The grips aren’t cushy, but they’re not bare steel either. Gloved, the handles feel secure with no hot spots, and bare‑handed they’re comfortable for a dozen turns at a time. During extended cranking on a union, the 10‑inch pair will still let you know you’re working, but that’s more about leverage than handle design.

Balance is good. The pliers don’t feel nose‑heavy despite the longer jaws, which helps with control when you’re perched on a ladder trying to start a locknut.

Real‑world tasks I threw at them

• Plumbing: Loosened a stubborn slip‑nut on a P‑trap without rounding it, set compression ferrules on a 3/8‑inch supply line, and held a faucet tailpiece steady while tightening the mounting nut with the 8‑inch pair. The 10‑inch had enough jaw spread to grab a chunky union in a cramped crawlspace.
• Electrical: The 8‑inch pair is spot‑on for conduit locknuts and fittings—easy to control inside a panel where space is tight. The long nose lets you reach past wires to find purchase.
• Carpentry and general shop: The 10‑inch pair served as a quick clamp on odd shapes and as a hold‑fast while I ground a bolt head. The jaws held a piece of aluminum angle securely without walking.

Across these tasks, the tool felt predictable. No drama with the lock mechanism, and no knuckle busting from handle pinch.

What could be better

• Detent confidence under high squeeze: If you’re in the habit of sizing quickly and immediately bearing down, you can get the adjustment to slip a notch on very smooth surfaces. Taking the extra second to seat the detent solves it, but a slightly stronger detent spring would make the pliers more foolproof.
• Jaw hardness vs. longevity: The teeth have a good bite out of the box. Time will tell on multi‑year durability, but I’d avoid using these as a beater on hardened fasteners. Keep them in their lane and they should hold their edge.
• Handle texture: The grips are comfortable but not especially tacky. In wet conditions, I preferred wearing gloves. A bit more texture would improve control with wet hands.

None of these are deal breakers; they’re more about knowing the tool’s boundaries.

Durability and upkeep

After several weeks in a damp environment (under‑sink work and a couple of rainy exterior jobs), I didn’t see any corrosion. The mechanism still runs smoothly. A quick wipe with a rag after use and a drop of light oil on the pivot keep things tidy. If you get grit into the adjustment track, flush it with a shot of cleaner and re‑oil; that restores the silkiness of the push‑lock action.

As always, don’t store them clamped down on something; let the jaws rest closed and keep the teeth clean. That preserves the bite edge over time.

Value and use cases

As a two‑piece set, you’re covered for most household and light trade tasks. Plumbing, basic electrical, and general maintenance are all in range, and the long‑jaw geometry gives you reach that standard tongue‑and‑groove pliers can’t match. The 1‑year limited warranty is modest, but in line with expectations for a hand tool at this level.

If you’re a full‑time plumber or routinely muscle large steel pipe, you’ll still want dedicated pipe wrenches and possibly a premium set of push‑button water pump pliers with more aggressive detents. For homeowners, facility techs, and mixed‑trade pros who need reliable adjustables that won’t pinch and can be set one‑handed, this set hits a sweet spot.

Tips for best results

• Size slightly small and let the teeth seat; avoid a loose setting that encourages slip.
• Don’t press the button under load. Adjust, release fully, then load the tool.
• Protect finished surfaces with a wrap when appearance matters.
• Use the 8‑inch for precision and tight spaces; pull out the 10‑inch when leverage and jaw spread are more important.

Recommendation

I recommend this set for anyone who needs versatile, easy‑adjust pliers for plumbing, electrical, and general maintenance. The long jaws provide useful reach, the non‑pinching handles are genuinely comfortable, and the push‑lock mechanism is smooth once you develop the habit of seating it before applying torque. They’re not a replacement for a pipe wrench on big, stubborn fittings, and the detent could be more aggressive to prevent user‑induced slips, but within their intended lane they’re dependable and efficient. If you’re building out a kit or replacing an older pair of tongue‑and‑groove pliers, these are a practical upgrade that will see a lot of real‑world use.