DeWalt 8" Straight Jaw Pushlock Pliers

First impressions and where they shine

I tossed DeWalt’s 8-inch push‑lock pliers into my bag as a compact, do‑most set for service calls. The size hits a sweet spot: small enough to live in a tool pouch without being a brick, but big enough to handle common plumbing fittings, electrical locknuts, and the odd fastener on carpentry jigs. After several weeks, one thing stood out above everything else—the push‑button adjustment. It’s quick, secure, and genuinely one‑handable. If you juggle a flashlight and a fitting in a cramped space, that matters.

Build and ergonomics

The build feels stout. There’s little to no handle flex under torque, and the pivot is tight without binding. The grips are firm but not gummy, and the non‑pinching handle geometry actually works: even when I squeeze hard, there’s no scissor bite at the web of my hand. For an 8‑inch set, leverage is respectable. You won’t twist off a rusty 2-inch union with these, but for their size they deliver more bite than I expected.

At 8 inches overall, the pliers balance nicely in the hand. The finish has held up well in a mix of drywall dust and jobsite grime. After a cleaning and a drop of oil at the pivot, action stayed smooth.

The push‑lock mechanism

The push‑button is the headline feature, and it’s done well. Press the button, slide the jaws to size, release, and you’re locked into one of 19 positions. The detents feel positive, and I could dial in a near‑perfect fit without the hunting you get on older slip‑joint designs. I did have one instance early on where I thought I was locked but hadn’t fully clicked into a detent; the jaws shifted under load. That was user error, and it didn’t recur once I made sure to hear/feel the click before applying torque.

A tip: keep the button and tracks clear of grit. If plaster or metal fines pack into the slots, blow them out and add a touch of oil. The mechanism is tolerant, but, like any push‑lock plier, debris can make the button feel mushy.

Jaw design and real‑world grip

These are straight‑jaw pliers with a longer nose than most in this size class. That extended jaw is handy for reach and gives you more contact on flats, which I liked for:

• Holding bolt heads while I spin a nut with a wrench
• Backing up compression nuts on faucets and supply lines
• Grabbing conduit fittings and locknuts

The flip side is that the tooth geometry is fairly shallow toward the tip. On round, smooth surfaces—think chrome trap arms or polished pipe—they have less initial bite than more aggressive, V‑notched or offset jaws. If I squeeze harder, they will dig in, but they’re more likely to cam off if the angle isn’t right. On knurled or textured fittings they’re fine; on mirror‑smooth round stock, you need a deliberate approach or a different jaw style.

For fasteners and flats, they excel. The longer straight contact patch spreads load and reduces tendency to mar. For stubborn plumbing where you need a clamping, self‑energizing feel, I still reach for a more aggressively toothed, curved‑jaw pair.

Capacity and reach

DeWalt lists a maximum jaw capacity of about 47 mm (roughly 1.875 inches), and that lines up with what I measured at the tips. The published jaw depth is about 32.3 mm (1.27 inches), which is decent for an 8-inch tool. In practice, “usable” capacity for round stock is a bit less, just because of the straight‑jaw geometry; you can physically open to nearly 1.9 inches, but you’ll get best grip when you’re not at the very tip of the jaws.

Nineteen adjustment positions in an 8‑inch footprint is a lot of fine tuning. It’s easy to find a notch that gives you a snug fit without bottoming the handles or hyperextending your grip.

On the job: plumbing, electrical, carpentry tasks

• Plumbing: These handled 3/4-inch and 1-inch brass compression nuts, plastic faucet nuts, and slip‑joint traps without drama. On chrome‑plated pipe, I needed to position carefully and sometimes added a wrap of tape or a rag to reduce slipping and prevent scratching. For corroded galvanized, I wanted a bigger, curved‑jaw set.

• Electrical: Ideal for holding EMT connectors and locknuts while tightening from the opposite side. The straight jaws seat well on the flats of a locknut without skating. The small head and long nose helped in tight panels.

• Carpentry/fixtures: Great for adjusting jigs, holding T‑nuts, and nudging stubborn hardware into place. The non‑pinching handles let me bear down without watching my knuckles.

Durability and maintenance

After weeks of use, the teeth show minimal wear. The pivot hasn’t developed slop, and the button still clicks positively. A quick wipe and an occasional drop of oil at the pivot and slide channels are all they’ve needed. The yellow/black grips clean up without getting slick.

One caution: don’t hammer on them or use them as a pry bar—basic hand‑tool common sense. The Lifetime Limited Warranty is reassuring, but I didn’t encounter anything that made me consider a claim.

Shortcomings to know before you buy

• Bite on smooth round stock: The straight, relatively shallow tooth pattern is a trade‑off. It’s friendlier to flats and less aggressive on pipe. If you primarily work on round, smooth materials and want near‑locking bite, look at a curved‑jaw or offset V‑tooth design.

• Occasional mislock if rushed: If you don’t fully engage a detent, the jaws can shift. It’s rare and easy to avoid—press the button, set the size, feel the click, then load it—but worth mentioning.

• Size limits: It’s an 8-inch tool. It punches above its weight thanks to the long nose and wide opening, but it’s not a substitute for a 12‑inch pair when heavy torque is required.

Who these pliers suit best

• Service techs and DIYers who want a compact, fast‑adjust pair for mixed tasks
• Electricians who need reliable grip on flats and locknuts in tight spots
• Plumbers for finish work, compression fittings, and backups—paired with a more aggressive or larger set for stubborn pipe
• Woodworkers and installers who appreciate the extra reach and one‑handed sizing

If your day revolves around stubborn, smooth‑walled pipe, you’ll be happier with a curved‑jaw or self‑locking variant as your primary.

Practical tips for better results

• Size them so the handles aren’t bottomed out when gripping; you’ll get more torque and control.
• On polished surfaces, use a wrap (tape or a thin rag) and approach with the jaws slightly off the tip where the teeth engage better.
• Keep the detent channel clean; a quick blast of air or a brush keeps the push‑lock crisp.
• Don’t be shy about using the extended nose—its reach is one of the standout features.

Recommendation

I recommend these 8‑inch push‑lock pliers as a compact, well‑built, quick‑adjust option for general use, especially if you work on flats, fittings, and hardware more than on stubborn round pipe. The push‑button mechanism is genuinely useful, the handles are comfortable without pinch points, and the long, straight jaws offer excellent reach and control on fasteners.

They’re not the ultimate pipe‑wrangling pliers. If your priority is maximum bite on smooth, round materials, pair them with a curved‑jaw set or choose a model with more aggressive teeth. But as an everyday, go‑to set in the pouch—fast to adjust, solid under load, and easy to live with—these have earned their spot.