DeWalt 10-inch Pushlock Pliers

Why I reached for these pliers in the first place

The first time I put these 10-inch push-lock pliers to work was under a kitchen sink where a standard tongue-and-groove pair wouldn’t fit. The slim head slid past the garbage disposal housing and around a stubborn slip-nut with room to spare. That compact profile is the immediate draw here: the head and jaws are narrow enough to reach places where bulkier groove-joints balk.

Design and adjustment: fast and familiar, with a caveat

The defining feature is the push-lock mechanism with 17 detents. Press the button, slide to size, release, and you’re set—no fishing for the next groove. It’s genuinely quick, and with a little practice, I could adjust with one hand while the other guided the work. The travel range is generous; the jaws opened wide enough to bite into 2-inch PVC fittings, 1.5-inch galvanized couplers, and even frame nuts on a hitch assembly without maxing out. The V-shaped jaw profile does what it should: center on round stock, hold hex fasteners across flats, and pinch flat bar without rocking.

In day-to-day use, the push-lock feels convenient—until it doesn’t. On a few high-torque jobs, especially on smooth, painted pipe, I felt the button mechanism yield slightly. It didn’t fail outright at first, but it telegraphed a tiny slip, like the pawl skipped a tooth. That jump can be the difference between finishing a turn and refitting your grip. Over time, that “almost slip” became a real one under heavy load.

Bite and control

Out of the package, the induction-hardened teeth are sharp and symmetrical. They bite well on zinc-plated fasteners, conduit, and exhaust clamps, and they hold surprisingly well on copper without chewing it up if you stay light-handed. I prefer a slight offset angle when pulling—these jaws reward that technique by digging in rather than skating. The pivot is smooth but a touch loose laterally compared to premium pliers; it never affected alignment in my early testing, but it’s worth noting if you value that vault-like feel.

The handle grips are comfortable and have enough tack to stay put with light gloves. Under heavy torque, the grips don’t twist or walk, but the shoulders are a little square; after a couple of hours of repeated clamp-and-turn work, I felt hot spots at the edges. It’s not a deal breaker, just a reminder that ergonomics here are good but not exceptional.

In tight spaces, they shine

The slim head does real work. I used these on sink traps crowded by braided supply lines, in a cramped airbox on a compact car, and up in a ceiling chasing EMT couplings. The narrower profile and relatively shallow jaw depth made it easier to get a bite on fittings that sit close to a surface. Where a traditional 10-inch tongue-and-groove needs a bit more arc to swing, these could often get that first crack-loose turn with less clearance.

Where they struggle

Two areas tripped up these pliers in my shop:

• Smooth, high-torque applications: Chrome supply tubes and painted railing posts caused the jaws to skate unless I took extra care with angle and pressure. The V-jaw helps, but the tooth pattern isn’t as aggressive as on some competitors.
• Lock integrity under strain: After a few months of moderate use, the push-lock button on my primary pair developed play. It started as a minor rattle and eventually led to occasional detent skipping when I torqued hard. On a second sample, the lock held longer but still slipped once under a stubborn hose clamp. Both pairs still function, but neither inspires full confidence for heavy-duty work.

I keep my tools clean, and I flushed grit out of the button channel with compressed air and a drop of light oil. That minimized sticking but didn’t change the fact that under load, the mechanism can give a little. If you’re used to the locked-in feel of a traditional groove-joint or a premium push-button design, you’ll notice the difference.

Durability over time

The jaws themselves have held up reasonably well for me. The induction-hardened teeth show normal polish after months of use but no pronounced rounding or chips. The pivot has taken on a hint more side play, and the button’s return spring feels weaker than new on my older pair. I haven’t snapped a component, but the cumulative looseness makes me question long-term reliability for professional, daily use.

The finish has resisted corrosion in a humid basement shop with only basic care. The grips haven’t loosened or split. From a materials standpoint, it’s an acceptable build. The weak link remains the adjustment mechanism.

Practical tips to get the most out of them

• Size them a touch smaller than you think and wedge the work into the deepest part of the V-jaw; that reduces the chance of skating.
• Approach round stock slightly off perpendicular; a 10–15 degree angle lets the teeth bite instead of surf.
• Keep the button channel clean. A quick blast of air and a drop of oil at the pivot and along the slider helps the detent seat fully.
• If you feel the lock flex under load, step down one detent, re-seat, and try again. It’s slower, but it holds better.

How they stack up

These sit squarely in the mid-tier. They bring faster adjustment than traditional tongue-and-groove pliers and better access than some chunky-head competitors. Compared to premium push-button models, they’re noticeably looser in tolerance and less confidence-inspiring under high torque. Against basic groove-joint designs, they’re more convenient and more versatile in tight spaces—but only as long as the lock holds firm.

Given the one-year limited warranty, I’d categorize these as a homeowner or light-maintenance choice, not a heavy trade tool. If your workday is mostly threaded rod and rusty pipe, you’ll want something with a more robust lockup. If you’re doing occasional plumbing fixes, appliance installs, and general household maintenance, the feature set makes sense.

Pros

• Slim head genuinely improves access in cramped spaces
• Quick, one-handed sizing with 17 positions is fast and convenient
• V-jaw handles round, hex, and flat stock with decent control
• Teeth are hard and wear predictably; no premature chipping in my use
• Comfortable grips with good tack, even with light gloves

Cons

• Push-lock can develop play and occasionally slip under high torque
• Pivot and overall tolerances feel looser than premium options
• Bite on smooth or painted surfaces requires careful technique
• Handle geometry creates hot spots during extended heavy use
• Short warranty for a tool that sees frequent adjustment stress

The bottom line

I like how these pliers move and where they can fit. The slim head and fast adjustment make them a pleasure for quick jobs in cramped quarters. But the push-lock mechanism isn’t as stout as it should be for a tool that invites hard twisting. Over months of mixed duty, both samples I used showed enough lock play and occasional slippage to give me pause.

Recommendation: I wouldn’t recommend these as your primary 10-inch adjustable pliers if you work in the trades or regularly tackle high-torque tasks. The convenience is real, but the lock’s long-term reliability under load isn’t up to daily, demanding use. For a homeowner or occasional DIYer who values quick adjustment and tight-space access—and is willing to be mindful of technique—they can serve as a handy, affordable addition. Otherwise, I’d steer you toward a more robust push-button design or a traditional groove-joint with proven lockup.