DeWalt 12" Pushlock Pliers

First impressions

I put these push-lock pliers straight to work on a mix of plumbing odds and ends and an automotive brake job. At 12 inches, they’re a good middle ground: long enough to generate meaningful torque, compact enough to live in a tool bag without feeling like pipe wrenches. The slim V-jaw caught my eye immediately. The head is narrower than many groove-joint pliers this size, and that does pay off when you’re threading between hoses or getting behind a sink basin.

Fit and finish are what you’d expect from a mainstream pro brand. The black-and-yellow handles are cushioned and grippy without being gummy, and the push-button adjuster sits flush enough that it didn’t snag in and out of pockets.

Design and build

• Adjustment: Push-lock with 17 positions
• Jaw geometry: V-jaw for multi-surface contact on round, hex, and flat stock
• Capacity: 4.5 inches (generous for a 12-inch plier)
• Size: 14.5 inches long, 4.25 inches wide
• Jaws: Induction heat-treated
• Warranty: 1-year limited

The V-jaw is the star. On round material (copper, black pipe, conduit), it provides three-point contact that’s more secure than straight serrations, and the tapered snout gets into tight spots. The rails are reasonably tight, with minimal slop out of the box, and the detents are clearly spaced across those 17 positions. The handles are slightly on the larger side for the class; with winter gloves the girth is welcome, barehanded I occasionally wished for a touch more contour at the pinky end.

The induction-hardened teeth are sharp and consistent. After a week of grabbing galvanized fittings, a stubborn hose clamp, and some crusty exhaust hardware, I could only see light burnishing on the first row of teeth—no rolling or chipping.

The push-lock mechanism

Push-button adjusters live or die by engagement quality. On my sample, the button action is positive: depress, slide to the next slot, release, and it snaps home. Under most loads, the jaw setting stayed put. However, under high, off-axis torque—imagine twisting a stuck 1-1/4 inch PVC cleanout while crowded by a trap arm—I did get the jaw to jump a position twice. It didn’t walk wide repeatedly, but even a single step under force is noticeable.

Two things helped:

1) Take a half-step tighter than you think you need. If you can slip the jaws over your work with very little squeeze, you’re more likely to force the detent to climb a slot.
2) Keep the initial bite aligned. When the jaws start canted or you’re pulling hard with one handle while the other floats, side loading can try to lever the button side outward.

After cleaning the rails and detent plate (a quick brush to remove grit) and applying a tiny dab of dry lube on the pivot—not the teeth—the behavior improved. Still, compared with premium box-joint designs that practically refuse to move once set, this mechanism is good but not bulletproof.

In use

Plumbing duty:
- The pliers handled 1-inch to 2-inch fittings with ease, and that 4.5-inch capacity is genuinely useful when you’re improvising around odd-shaped traps and unions.
- The V-jaw bites round pipe confidently. I liked how the slim head snuck past PEX runs to reach a brass stop valve nut.
- The teeth are aggressive. Expect marring on chrome finishes; if you care about the look, wrap your work with tape or use a strap wrench.

Automotive and general maintenance:
- On a brake caliper slide pin and some fuel line fittings, the narrow snout helped me get a bite where a larger head would interfere. For thin flats, the long handles give steady control without over-crushing.
- The pliers excel at clamp removal—spring clamps, hose clamps, even stubborn hose ends.
- For fasteners, the V-jaw held hex heads fine up to a point, but these are not a replacement for wrenches. Think persuasion and holding power, not torqueing to spec.

Shop work:
- Gripping round stock and tubing felt secure. I used them as a makeshift fixture for cutting small aluminum tube; the teeth held without slipping, though they left marks as expected.
- The handles stayed comfortable through extended use. No hot spots, no pinch points around the pivot. The overmold is dense enough not to squirm in sweaty hands.

Ergonomics and control

At 14.5 inches, these pliers produce solid leverage. The handle spread at maximum capacity is wide but manageable; users with smaller hands might find the upper range fatiguing. The handle texture strikes a good balance: enough traction to reduce squeeze effort, not so tacky that it drags on gloves.

The push-button is large and easy to hit with a thumb, even gloved. Engagement feels crisp on most slots, though the very largest settings had a trace of play on my pair. That didn’t translate to meaningful jaw wiggle once clamped, but it’s worth noting.

Durability and maintenance

The heat-treated jaws hold up. After routine abuse, the teeth edges remained sharp. The pivot stayed tight; no discernible rattle developed. As with any adjustable plier, grit in the detents will undermine the mechanism. A quick blast of air and a brush-off after dirty jobs keeps the push-lock working smoothly. I’d avoid oily lubricants on the rails; they attract debris. A dry PTFE spray on the pivot is plenty.

The 1-year limited warranty is standard fare for a hand tool like this. Given the construction, I’d expect multi-year service life if you keep the detents clean and don’t use them as a hammer.

Where they shine

• Tight access: The slim V-head gets into spaces where chunkier groove-joints struggle.
• Versatility: The V-jaw grips round, hex, and irregular shapes without fuss. It’s a true all-rounder for home and light trade work.
• Comfort: The handles are comfortable over long sessions and don’t beat up your hands.

Where they stumble

• Adjustment security under heavy side load: While generally reliable, the mechanism can shift a step if you really lean on it off-axis.
• Handle bulk: If you have small hands, the spread and thickness at larger settings may be fatiguing.
• Finish sensitivity: The teeth will mar softer or plated surfaces—use protection on anything you care to keep pretty.

Tips for best results

• Set the jaws one notch tighter than the “just fits” point to minimize the chance of a jump under load.
• Align the work deep in the V—this maximizes three-point contact on round stock.
• Clean the detents and rails periodically; grit is the enemy of any push-button adjuster.
• Don’t baby the bite. A firm squeeze at initial engagement helps the teeth seat and prevents skating.

The bottom line

These push-lock pliers are a capable, comfortable, and reasonably compact 12-inch option with an excellent V-jaw and generous capacity. The slim head makes a real difference in awkward quarters, and the hardened teeth hold up to everyday abuse. The push-button adjustment is convenient and mostly dependable, but it isn’t the most slip-resistant mechanism I’ve used when subjected to aggressive, off-axis torque. In normal use, it stays put; in worst-case binds, it can step.

Recommendation: I recommend these for homeowners, maintenance techs, and tradespeople who want a versatile 12-inch adjustable with strong bite and good access. They earn a spot in the bag as a go-to for clamps, pipe, fittings, and general gripping tasks. If your work routinely involves high-torque, awkward pulls where any slippage is unacceptable—think heavy industrial or stubborn, seized fasteners—you may prefer a box-joint design with a more locked-in adjustment. For everyone else, the combination of capacity, comfort, and slim V-jaw geometry makes these pliers a solid, dependable choice.