DeWalt 24 in. (600 mm) Extra Large Trigger Clamp

I keep plenty of clamps within arm’s reach, but the 24-inch DeWalt trigger clamp has been the one I reach for most when I’m working solo and need a fast, one-handed hold that I can trust. It hits that sweet spot between speed and real clamping force, and it’s tough enough for jobsite abuse without being a brick to carry.

Build and ergonomics

The clamp uses a reinforced nylon body around a heat-treated steel I‑beam bar. That combo keeps the weight reasonable at about 1.6 kg, while the I‑beam profile resists flex better than the flat bars you see on cheaper clamps. The handle and trigger are plastic, but they’re shaped well and give good leverage without biting into your palm. I can dial in pressure with my dominant hand while holding work with the other—exactly what I want from a “one‑handed” clamp.

There’s a quick-release for sliding the moving jaw into position, and a separate trigger to ratchet up pressure. The release button sits proud enough to be easy to find with gloves. The overall form factor is slim for a 24-inch clamp, so it stores well and doesn’t snag on everything in the shop.

Capacity and reach

A standout feature here is the throat depth. At 3-3/4 inches, I can grab further into a panel or frame than many competing trigger clamps, which are often closer to 3 inches. That extra reach has been handy on door frames, cabinet face frames, and gate work where clamping right on the edge isn’t ideal. The jaw opening is right around 24–25 inches, which covers most carcass, drawer, and light assembly tasks I use a quick clamp for.

Pads and protection

Full-face removable pads cover each jaw, and they do a solid job of preventing dents and black marks on finished stock. The pads pop off for cleaning—glue squeeze-out tends to stick to the pad edges, so I appreciate being able to scrape them clean or swap them. The pad surface isn’t squishy, which helps keep the work from drifting under load. Grip on finished plywood and hardwood is reliable, and the pads don’t spin or creep once set.

Clamping performance

DeWalt rates this at 600 lb of clamping force. In practice, it delivers more bite than a typical light-duty trigger clamp and creeps less over time. On panel glue-ups, I can feel it transition from snug to serious pressure without ratcheting endlessly. For tasks like pulling a post into alignment or closing a small gap in a frame, I’ve had no trouble achieving a hard, confident clamp.

Under very high load, I have seen a bit of bar twist—more a slight rotational bias than bar flex. The clamp still holds, but the moving jaw can sit a touch out of parallel with the fixed jaw if you’re really cranking on it. That’s not unique to this model, but it’s worth noting if you routinely push trigger clamps to the limit. For absolute alignment and maximum force, I still use F‑style or parallel clamps; this DeWalt excels at speed and strong, controlled pressure, not plumbing-level squareness.

Release and control

The ratchet has a fine enough step that you can sneak up on final pressure without overshooting. Releasing under load is generally smooth: hit the release and the jaw relaxes in a controlled way. There have been a few high-tension setups where I had to press the release twice or back off the trigger slightly before it fully let go—nothing dramatic, but it’s a quirk I’ve learned to anticipate. A quick tap on the bar with my free hand takes the tension off and the release pops cleanly.

The safety stop at the end of the bar is secure; I’ve never had the jaw shoot off the rail during repositioning.

Spreader mode

The quick-change button converts the clamp to a spreader in seconds. Slide the fixed jaw off, reposition it at the other end, and you’ve got up to roughly 820 mm of spreading capacity. I’ve used it to push casing off a wall for shimming and to gently open a glued joint I needed to rework. Force in spreader mode isn’t quite as high as in clamp mode, but it’s more than adequate for fit-ups and controlled pressure. The only caution: the conversion button is easy to press. If you carry multiple clamps by the jaws or toss them into a bin, it can get bumped. I’ve made a habit of grabbing by the bar when moving a bunch at once.

Jobsite and shop use

• Door and gate installs: The long reach and one-handed action make it a great third hand when aligning hinges or pulling a gate to a post while you set lag bolts. The clamp will hold position without sagging.
• Cabinetry: It’s excellent for holding face frames, scribing filler strips, and temporarily pulling boxes into alignment. The pads protect prefinished surfaces.
• General carpentry: It’s stout enough to pinch framing members into place while you fasten, though I still default to heavier clamps for structural loads or when I need absolute parallelism.

Because the bar is an I‑beam, it shrugs off most bending, and the black oxide finish resists rust and shop grime better than raw steel. After months of use, my bar shows scuffs but no corrosion, and the action is still smooth.

Durability and maintenance

The reinforced nylon body has held up to drops, and the ratchet teeth haven’t rounded over with normal use. Keep the bar clean; a quick wipe keeps dust from clogging the mechanism. If you get glue on the pads, remove and clean them before it hardens fully—your future self will thank you. Replacement pads are easy to fit if you wear them down.

The only long-term concern I’m watching is the quick-change mechanism’s tolerance. It hasn’t failed, but because it’s so accessible, it’s the one component I treat with a bit more care when transporting multiple clamps.

What could be better

• Release consistency under max load: It usually pops free smoothly, but high-tension setups sometimes need a second press or a slight de-tension to release cleanly.
• Bar rotation at extreme pressure: A minor twist shows up when you really lean on it; not a deal-breaker, but it makes me choose parallel clamps for critical glue-ups.
• Quick-change button placement: Easy to use, easy to bump. Awareness solves it, but a slightly more recessed design would be welcome.

How it compares

Against other heavy-duty trigger clamps (Irwin XP, Bessey equivalents), the DeWalt’s throat depth and bar stiffness are strong selling points. The handle ergonomics are among the better ones, especially for repeated clamping. Some competitors have a slightly more recessed spreader release, but they often give up a bit of reach or pad surface. If you need absolutely square clamping faces and maximum force, parallel clamps are still the right tool; if speed and one-handed setup are priorities, this DeWalt is in the top tier.

Bottom line

The 24-inch DeWalt trigger clamp is a workhorse for one-handed clamping and spreading. It offers real muscle for a trigger clamp, a deeper-than-average throat, and pads that protect finished work. It’s not a replacement for parallel or pipe clamps in high-precision or maximum-force glue-ups, and the release can be a touch finicky at the ragged edge of its capacity. But for day-to-day carpentry, cabinet installs, framing tweaks, and general shop use, it’s fast, reliable, and easy to live with.

Recommendation: I recommend this clamp for anyone who needs strong, one-handed clamping with extra reach—contractors, cabinet installers, and woodworkers alike. It’s efficient, durable, and versatile in spreader mode. Keep a couple on hand, be mindful of the quick-change button when transporting them, and you’ll get a lot of value and time saved on real jobs.