Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises scanning a piece of lumber proximate its end to determine which side of its longitudinal center line its fibers are oriented toward. The piece of lumber then is oriented such that the tangent of the cutting circle of a rotary cutter, which is used to machine finger joints in its end, is offset from the fiber direction by at least 90.degree.. Finger joints then are machined in the end of the piece of lumber by the cutter. The apparatus includes a conveyor which transports a plurality of pieces of lumber normal to their longitudinal axes. A scanner, which determines the fiber direction of each piece of lumber, transmits this information along with the location of the piece of lumber on the conveyor to a microprocessor. An orienter then is annunciated by the microprocessor to rotate those pieces of lumber having fiber direction which is oriented improperly before they are fed through a finger jointer.