Woodpeckers vs Starrett Combination Square (2026): 12" in-DEXABLE vs 11H-12-4R

The short answer

Scribing guides, locks at every inch? Woodpeckers

Finer graduations, scriber and level? Starrett

Both are 12 in. combination squares with a 90°/45° head, but they take different approaches to layout. The Woodpeckers in-DEXABLE has scribing holes every 1/16 in. for drawing lines parallel to an edge, and its head locks at every full inch. The Starrett 11H-12-4R is the classic design: a hardened steel blade graduated down to 64ths, plus a scriber and spirit level built into the cast-iron head.

Best for woodworking layout

Pick the Woodpeckers in-DEXABLE 12" if

You mark lots of lines parallel to an edge. The blade has scribing guides on 1/16 in. centers.
You want fast, repeatable settings. The head indexes at every full inch.
You hang the head off the edge of your work. A sliding tab supports it.

12 in. combination square: blade and combination head. Double, center, and protractor heads sold separately.

Check the Woodpeckers square on Amazon

Best for fine readings

Pick the Starrett 11H-12-4R if

You read fine measurements. The 4R blade has 8ths, 16ths, quick-reading 32nds and 64ths.
You want a scriber and level on the tool. Both are built into the head.
You use it as a depth or height gauge too. Starrett lists both for its combination squares.

11H-12-4R: 12 in. blade and cast-iron square head with scriber and spirit level.

Check the Starrett square on Amazon

Before you buy: When I checked on Oct 8, 2026, the Woodpeckers listing was sold by Woodpeckers. The Starrett listing was sold by a third-party seller, and Starrett lists this square as made to order. Listings change, so check who the seller is and that it’s new before you order.

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Key specs

2Woodpeckers in-DEXABLE
spec rows won

3Starrett 11H-12-4R
spec rows won

7even or
unclear

This counts the rows below where one is clearly better. It’s a tally, not an overall rating. The Woodpeckers wins are layout features. The Starrett wins are about what’s built into the head and how fine you can read the blade.

A green check means that number or feature is clearly better. No check means it's a tie, the gap is tiny, or the makers measure it differently. Every figure comes from Woodpeckers or Starrett, not from Amazon.

	Woodpeckers 12"	Starrett 11H-12-4R
Blade length	12 in.	12 in.
Graduations	1/16 and 1/32 in.	8ths, 16ths, 32nds, 64ths
Scale accuracy	±.004 in. (laser-engraved)	Not published
Scribing guides	On 1/16 in. centers	None
Head indexing	Every full inch	None (slides freely)
Head support tab	Sliding tab	None
Built-in scriber	None	Yes
Spirit level	None	Yes
Head	Combination head (90°/45°)	Cast iron, reversible lock bolt
Other heads	Double, center, protractor sold separately	Center head and protractor in Starrett sets
Made in	Strongsville, Ohio	USA, with US and global content
Warranty	Lifetime, 30-day return	Not published

Spec notes

Accuracy: Woodpeckers publishes ±.004 in. for its scales. Starrett’s pages don’t publish an accuracy figure for this square, so the row isn’t scored.
Materials: Starrett lists a hardened, tempered steel blade and a cast-iron head. Woodpeckers’ product page doesn’t state the material for this square, so it’s left out.
Head support tab: not scored, because it’s a convenience rather than a capability.

What it can handle

A square doesn’t have a power limit, so this chart is about what each maker lists the tool for and what’s included. I haven’t tested either square. If a maker doesn’t list a use or feature, it gets a CAN’T.

Can do A use the maker lists, with what’s in the box
Just barely Needs a head or part sold separately
Can’t Not a feature the maker lists

Task	Woodpeckers 12"	Starrett 11H-12-4R
Layout
Square & 45° lines	Can doCombination head has 90° and 45° faces.	Can doSquare head has 90° and 45° faces.
Parallel lines	Can doScribing guides on 1/16 in. centers.	Can doStarrett lists marking or scribing gauge use.
Inch stops	Can doHead indexes at every full inch.	Can’tNot a feature Starrett lists.
Center finding	Just barelyCentering head sold separately.	Just barelyCenter head comes in Starrett sets, not this one.
Reading
1/32" readings	Can do1/32 in. graduations on one edge.	Can doQuick-reading 32nds.
1/64" readings	Can’tFinest graduation is 1/32 in.	Can do4R blade has 64ths.
Built in
Scriber	Can’tNo scriber listed.	Can doHardened scriber in the head.
Level & plumb	Can’tNo level listed.	Can doSpirit level in the head.

This chart compares the 12 in. combination squares as sold, with no extra heads.

Notes and sources

How the verdicts were made: features come from Woodpeckers’ product page and Starrett’s product page and squares catalog section. Nothing here comes from hands-on testing or owner reviews.

Left out: depth and height gauging. Starrett lists both for its combination squares; Woodpeckers’ page doesn’t mention them, though any sliding-blade square can be used that way. Leaving the row out keeps the chart from marking the Woodpeckers down for something it can physically do.

Sources:

Woodpeckers in-DEXABLE Square System product page (features, accuracy, warranty): woodpeck.com
Starrett 11H-12-4R product page (graduations, made-to-order status): starrett.com
Starrett Catalog 33, Section 11: Squares (11H head features, uses): Starrett-Catalog-33-Section-11-Squares.pdf

Who should buy which

Get the Woodpeckers in-DEXABLE 12" if:

You do woodworking layout and mark lots of lines parallel to an edge.
You want the head to lock at exact inch settings.
You may add double, center or protractor heads later.

Check the Woodpeckers square on Amazon

Get the Starrett 11H-12-4R if:

You want to read down to 1/64 in.
You want a scriber and spirit level built in.
You also use your square for metalwork or as a depth gauge.

Check the Starrett square on Amazon

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Skip it if

Skip the Woodpeckers in-DEXABLE

if you need 64ths, a built-in scriber, or a level.

Skip the Starrett 11H-12-4R

if you mainly want quick parallel lines and repeatable inch settings for woodworking.

Questions about this pair

Is Woodpeckers or Starrett more accurate?

Woodpeckers publishes ±.004 in. for its engraved scales. Starrett doesn’t publish an accuracy figure for the 11H-12-4R, so there’s no maker number to compare.

What graduations do they have?

The Woodpeckers has 1/16 in. on one edge and 1/32 in. on the other. The Starrett 4R blade has 8ths, 16ths, quick-reading 32nds and 64ths.

Where are they made?

Woodpeckers says its tools are machined and inspected in Strongsville, Ohio. Starrett lists this square as made in the USA with US and global content.

Do they come with a center head?

No. Both listings here are the square with one head. Woodpeckers sells its centering head separately, and Starrett includes a center head in its combination sets.