I am in need of a nail pulling tool. I was in a local tool distrubutor the other day here in IL (Berland's House of tools), and they carry at least 15 different nail pullers. Has anyone on here really researched to find the a really top of the line unit? Of course I may need one for small nails and one for larger. They range from simple bars with a split fork, to compound leverage type devices with jaws that will grab a nail with no head. I am also concerned about denting the wood with the back of the puller when pulling nails. Not sure if the solution is to always use a piece of oak to back up the puller? Or?

Don't over think this Brad.

Get a $3 cats paw and use the block.

Yes, agreed.
Cats paw is the cats a$$!

if it is possible to get at the back of the boards, as in a barn from the inside, you can cut the nails off with a sawzall.

I have some old barn 8X8 and 8X10 pine timbers. Some have large nails, and a couple had like siding nailed to it and the heads have rusted off. I don't know yet if that timber is good yet or not, but I have a few 38 footers that just have the occational large nail. I was looking for a recommendation for nail pullers as the one old one I have that looks like a crowbar is pretty worn. I think I will get one of the antiques on ebya that grab the nail like a pliers and have a fulcrum to pull against. They seem pretty inexpensive. Then I will go to the tool store I was talking about and look for maybe a cats paw style one. That store has at least 15 different ones to choose from. I just want to denail these beams. Then I think I might try using a rented drum floor sander and see if I can sand the sides of a timber effeciently and cleanly (if I can keep it stable or rig something to do so).