DeWalt 8 in. and 10 in. Push Lock Pliers (2-Pack)

Why this set earned a spot in my everyday bag

I keep a rotation of adjustable pliers in my bag, but a slim‑head set earns its keep quickly. This two‑piece DeWalt push‑lock set—an 8‑inch and a 10‑inch—hit that sweet spot of access, control, and versatility that makes them easy to reach for on everything from quick electrical fixes to light plumbing and general maintenance.

The headline feature is the push‑button adjustment with 17 locking positions. In practice, that means I can dial in the jaw width to exactly where I want it and it stays there, even as I open and close the handles during a job. No creeping, no slipping to the next slot. For tasks where you’re repeatedly repositioning, it’s genuinely faster than classic slip joint or traditional tongue‑and‑groove pliers.

Adjustment mechanism: fast and repeatable

The push‑lock button sits flush enough that it doesn’t snag, and it’s easy to hit with a thumb while holding the tool in the same hand. In a crawlspace and wearing gloves, I could still make fine adjustments without a second hand. The 17 detents are spaced closely, which gave me fine control: I could fit the jaws just tight enough on a compression nut or conduit fitting without rounding edges.

Unlike some button‑adjust pliers that feel mushy, these click positively. Once set, I could open the handles repeatedly and the jaws stayed on the same setting. That repeatability matters when you’re grabbing and shifting a lot—removing hose clamps, pulling staples, or working along a row of fasteners.

One note: the mechanism relies on a clean track. After cutting dusty backer board, a little grit found its way into the button. A quick blast of compressed air and a drop of light oil brought it right back. If you work in sandy or gritty environments, a little maintenance will keep it slick.

Slim head, smarter access

The slim head design is the sleeper feature here. It made a difference under a sink where space around the faucet shank is always tight, and in a panel where I wanted to turn a locknut without bumping neighboring wires. The narrower profile slides into places where chunkier groove‑joint pliers struggle.

The flip side of that slimness is feel. The head and arms don’t read as overbuilt, and that’s by design—they prioritize access and weight. I wouldn’t choose these to break free a seized 2‑inch coupling or for demolition work. But for the day‑to‑day jobs most of us reach adjustable pliers for, the geometry is an advantage.

V‑jaw that actually grips

The V‑jaw profile is versatile. It bites decently on round stock (copper and PEX fittings, small pipe, dowel, and rod), but also has enough flat to hold hex heads and square nuts without camming off. On painted or plated surfaces, the bite is firm without feeling like it’s shredding finish—helped by the induction heat‑treated teeth, which kept their sharpness after a month of regular use. I didn’t notice premature rounding of the tooth edges, even after a few slips on old galvanized.

Between the two sizes, I defaulted to the 8‑inch inside cabinets, on bikes and scooters, and for electrical hardware. The 10‑inch brings the leverage you want for stubborn hose clamps, larger locknuts, and small plumbing unions. The pair covers most general shop and site tasks short of heavy pipe work.

Comfort and control

The bi‑material handles strike a good balance. They’re cushioned enough to reduce hot spots during extended squeezing, but not so squishy that they feel vague. The contouring gives predictable index points for the thumb and forefinger, which helps control the head angle on odd shapes.

Two caveats:
- In oilier conditions, the grips can get slightly slick. A quick wipe solves it, but it’s something to be aware of.
- At full spread on the 10‑inch, smaller hands may find the handle span wide. That’s common with this class of plier; the 8‑inch remains comfortable at wide settings.

Build quality and durability

The steel and jaw hardening are solid. Teeth wear has been minimal, and the pivot showed no play after tightening a dozen compression fittings, installing shelving, and a handful of automotive odds and ends. The overall mass leans lighter than some competitors, which makes them easy to carry but also contributes to a perception of thinness. I wouldn’t want to toss them off a ladder—frankly, I don’t want to toss any precision‑adjust plier off a ladder—but I also didn’t baby them. They’ve taken routine drops onto concrete without issue.

A practical tip: if you expect to use them regularly for twisting or prying (we all do it), resist the temptation. They’re pliers, not chisels. The push‑lock track is precise; keep it that way and they’ll last.

In use: where they shine

A few tasks where this set was notably effective:
- Tightening sink supply line nuts and dishwasher hose clamps in cramped cabinets
- Grabbing rounded fasteners the socket set couldn’t hold
- Turning EMT locknuts inside crowded panels
- Adjusting bike seat posts and axles where the hex flats were shallow
- Holding small round parts while polishing or filing
- Clamping a jig temporarily thanks to the consistent reopening to the same jaw width

The repeatable adjustment is the quiet productivity booster. On jobs where you’re moving from one fastener to the next, the ability to reopen to the exact same setting saves small, cumulative seconds, and that adds up.

Compared with common alternatives

• Classic tongue‑and‑groove pliers: Usually feel more robust and can deliver more brute force, but they don’t match the speed or fine adjustment of the push‑button mechanism. If your work leans heavy—larger pipe fittings, demolition—go that route.
• Premium push‑button pliers: Tools like the high‑end German options have self‑locking jaws and tighter tolerances but cost significantly more. This DeWalt set lands in a practical middle ground: most of the speed and precision at a more accessible price.
• Quick‑adjust budget sets: Some competitors offer similar mechanics but with sloppier pivots or softer teeth. Here, the jaw hardening and detent feel are a step up.

Who it’s for

• General contractors, maintenance techs, and DIYers who value quick, precise adjustment and need access in tight spaces
• Electricians and HVAC techs looking for a capable secondary set that won’t bulk up the bag
• Mechanics and cyclists who want a reliable grab‑and‑go pair for odd shapes and emergency holds

Who should look elsewhere: plumbers tackling larger copper and steel fittings regularly; demolition crews; anyone expecting to use pliers as a pry bar. A heavier tongue‑and‑groove or a larger dedicated pipe wrench will serve you better there.

Care tips

• Keep the push‑lock track clean; compressed air and a drop of oil keep the action crisp
• Wipe grips if you’re in oily environments to maintain traction
• Avoid striking the head or using the jaws to twist flat bar; it’s not what they’re built for

The bottom line

I recommend this DeWalt push‑lock set. The combination of a slim head, genuinely useful push‑button adjustment with 17 positive positions, and a versatile V‑jaw makes them efficient everyday companions. They’re comfortable, bite well, and, used for the right tasks, feel durable. If your work prioritizes access, speed, and repeatable settings over raw leverage, these will earn their keep. If you need a beater for heavy pipe or demolition, look to a beefier tongue‑and‑groove. For nearly everything else, this pair delivers.