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).