endless lumber is then proof loaded in step 32 and in the associated step 322 a finger joint failure information is associated with the corresponding endless lumber location after step 32 the single grade a n endless lumber is lengthened into extended length single grade lumber and failed finger joints are removed in step 34 in a final grading step 36 the extended length lumber pieces are graded steps 10 13 16 22 28 30 32 34 36 take place along a substantially continuous input to output fabrication path cp along which the lumber is substantially continuously propagating as single pieces and or in stacks the step 221 takes place along a secondary graded lumber buffer storage path sp the secondary graded lumber buffer storage path sp diverts off the continuous input to output path cp following step 22 and rejoins the continuous input to output fabrication path cp at beginning of step 28 in fig3 a second preferred embodiment of the invention includes the method steps 10 of providing generic raw lumber followed by the step 12 of in feeding supply lumber pieces including the raw lumber and return in fed lumber from steps 144 and 342 after scanning lumber moisture in step 18 lumber appearance is inspected in step 14 and excess moisture boards are removed in step 142 the side step 141 of removing rejected pieces that did not pass the appearance inspection takes also place in conjunction with step 14 appearance inspection is preferably performed by trained personnel the removed moist lumber may be dried as in step 143 and return in fed as in step 144 the repeated appearance inspection of dried lumber warrants that well known excess lumber bending or well known lumber cracking that may occur.