DeWalt 6 in. (150 mm) Medium Trigger Clamp

Why I keep a 6-inch trigger clamp within arm’s reach

There are fancier clamps in my shop, and there are certainly more powerful ones, but few get used as often as a small, quick one-hander. The DeWalt 6-inch trigger clamp hits that everyday sweet spot: fast to deploy, light in hand, and strong enough for the lion’s share of tasks I’d call “assembly and alignment” rather than “heavy squeeze.” After weeks of using this clamp on everything from holding a circular-saw guide to tacking together shop jigs and securing edge banding during glue-up, I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines—and where it doesn’t.

Build and materials

The clamp uses a reinforced nylon body around a heat-treated, black-oxide carbon steel I‑beam bar. That bar is 4 mm thick and resists twisting better than the square bars you see on bargain clamps. At 300 g (about two-thirds of a pound), it’s light enough that I’ll clip it to a pocket or toss a couple in a tool bag without thinking. The jaws open to 160 mm (just over 6-1/4 inches) with a 60 mm (2-7/16 inches) throat depth. Pads are removable, non‑marring, and measure 35 x 25 x 9 mm—large enough to spread pressure, small enough to snake into tight spots.

A safety stop at the end of the bar keeps the moving jaw from sliding off—handy when you’re swapping to spreader mode over a bench. Fit and finish are good: no flash on the molding, crisp detents in the trigger, and the bar’s black oxide coating has resisted glue and surface rust so far.

Clamping performance

DeWalt rates this clamp at up to 100 lb (about 60 kg) of sustained clamping force. In practice, I’d call it solidly medium-duty. It excels at:

• Holding a rip guide on plywood for circular-saw cuts
• Pinning a workpiece to a bench dog or fence for layout and drilling
• Light to moderate glue-ups where alignment matters more than max squeeze
• Securing small assemblies while screws or brads go in

On pine, poplar, and plywood, it had more than enough bite for clean, creep‑free glue lines when used in pairs. On denser hardwoods or when trying to close small gaps in casework, I reached the useful limit: it will hold alignment but it won’t muscle a stubborn joint home the way an F‑style or parallel clamp can. Pushed near maximum, I noticed a faint flex in the bar, but the jaws stayed square enough that I didn’t get uneven squeeze or pad slippage.

The ratcheting advance is incremental rather than continuous, so you can feather in pressure without overshooting. I prefer this style for delicate work; it’s easy to sneak up on “just enough.”

Ergonomics and control

One-handed operation is the point, and this clamp nails it. The trigger is comfortable even during repeated cycling, with a geometry that doesn’t force your wrist into a weird angle when you’re clamping vertically. The release lever is positive and predictable—no sudden spring-back when you crack it open. Out of the box, the action felt slightly gritty, which is typical of mid-priced triggers; after a day of use the mechanism smoothed out and has stayed consistent.

A note on handle materials: the grip is plastic, not rubberized. Despite that, the contouring and leverage make it comfortable bare-handed. With gloves on, the trigger still has enough purchase to be reliable.

Pads and workpiece protection

The non‑marring pads have enough durometer to avoid denting softer woods but aren’t so squishy that they bleed away clamping force. They don’t pivot, which simplifies control but limits contact on tapered or irregular stock. If you need a little more traction, a quick wipe to keep glue off the pad faces helps, as dried squeeze-out is the number-one cause of workpiece creep with any trigger clamp. The pads are removable, so you can replace them if they wear or keep a sacrificial set for messy jobs.

Spreader mode

Converting to a spreader takes seconds via the quick-change button; no tools required. In spreader configuration, the capacity stretches to 295 mm (about 11.6 inches). I used it to nudge a face frame into square and to gently open a glued drawer box that set slightly tight—both times it provided smooth, controlled force without jumping. It’s not a hydraulic pump, but for controlled separation or preloading a dry-fit, it’s genuinely useful and far better than “two clamps back-to-back” improvisations.

Capacity and throat realities

With a 60 mm throat, this is not the clamp you reach for to grab a 2x4 across its 3-1/2 inch edge. It simply can’t reach. Where it excels is along edges and faces: clamping a guide to a shelf, pulling a corner flush, or locking a fence to a sled. If you routinely clamp deeper work or need to bridge wider stock, step up to a deeper-throat or larger-capacity model.

Durability

Between shop tasks and site work, mine has hit the floor more than once. The reinforced nylon housing shrugged off the drops, and the bar hasn’t picked up burrs that would snag the jaw. The black oxide does its job; I’ve only needed a light wipe of paste wax after cleaning resin and glue, and the jaw still slides smoothly. The internal ratchet hasn’t skipped or blown out under normal use, which is where budget clamps often die.

Quirks and limitations

• Release lever clearance: On certain setups—clamping inside carcasses or right up against a fence—the release lever protrudes slightly proud of the fixed jaw and can foul the work, preventing the clamp from closing that last bit. Flipping the clamp orientation usually solves it, but in tight quarters it can be a blocker.

• Force ceiling: 100 lb is plenty for alignment and light glue-ups, but if you expect it to pull a bowed panel flat or close a stubborn mortise and tenon, you’ll be disappointed. That’s a job for heavier F‑styles or parallel-jaw clamps.

• Non-pivoting pads: On tapered or angled faces, contact is concentrated. A quick fix is to add a caul or supplementary pad to broaden the footprint.

None of these are deal-breakers in the intended use case, but they’re worth knowing so you can choose the right tool for the job.

Practical tips from use

• Preload gently, check alignment, then add final clicks. This minimizes creep on smooth stock.
• Keep the pads clean. Dried glue is the enemy of grip and protection.
• Use two clamps opposing each other on long edges to neutralize any tendency to skew.
• For bar maintenance, a wipe of paste wax or dry lube keeps the jaw sliding smoothly without attracting dust.

Value and warranty

Price varies by retailer, but for what it delivers—reliable one-handed operation, decent force, and a durable build—the value is strong. The 1‑year limited warranty is standard fare in this category and aligns with my expectations for a clamp you’re likely to throw into day-to-day rotation. I wouldn’t buy one; I’d buy two or four. These shine in multiples.

Who it’s for

• Woodworkers and DIYers who need fast, one-handed holding while they align parts, drive screws, or saw to a guide.
• Installers and trim carpenters who want light, non-marring clamps for on-site adjustments.
• Makers who appreciate spreader mode for assembly and dry-fit tweaks.

If your work is dominated by heavy glue-ups, deep reach clamping, or high clamping force requirements, start your clamp rack with heavier-duty styles and consider this as a complement rather than a foundation.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 6-inch trigger clamp as a reliable, everyday workhorse for light to medium-duty tasks. It combines quick, one-handed control with enough sustained force to handle most alignment and holding jobs, the build quality is a notch above bargain clamps, and spreader mode is genuinely useful. Be mindful of the modest throat depth and the release lever’s clearance in tight spots, and don’t expect it to do the work of an F‑style when heavy pressure is required. Within its lane, it’s excellent—and I keep several within reach because they’re the clamps I end up using most.