If you do anything regularly with pallets, you owe it to yourself to get one of these....
I have one and it makes taking apart pallets (without destroying the lumber) tremendously easier. I have tried most everything.. cutting, prying, etc... and this is by far the best method tool out there.
I believe they are pine. I used a combination of a pallet buster tool ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JH41U7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_9B2W9W0BH8AYCFVVHQ9B ) and a reciprocating saw to dismantle them. Then I ran them all through a planer and got them relatively smooth with a orbital sander. I didn’t go past 80 grit because i intended it to be a bit of a rough looking piece of outdoor furniture.
I have this (http://www.amazon.com/Vestil-SKB-DLX-Deluxe-Pallet-Buster/dp/B00JH41U7M). I bought it straight from the manufacturer a couple years ago. It is the most efficient method of disassembling pallets. I have tried every other method that can be found online and this works the best. It can take apart a pallet in 10 minutes, more if you are being super careful. Time is valuable and some methods of taking pallets apart can be rather dangerous.
I don't have a particular suggestion, but this is the sort of tool I was describing: https://www.amazon.com/Vestil-SKB-DLX-Deluxe-Pallet-Buster/dp/B00JH41U7M/ref=sr\_1\_2?dchild=1&keywords=Pallet+Tools&qid=1621021695&sr=8-2
Vestil SKB-DLX Deluxe Steel Pallet Buster with Handle, 41",blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JH41U7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_11CH311ENSWVET2VWYAJ
Here’s mine!
A pallet buster (this is the one I bought) is worth every penny and saves you from turning usable wood into splinters and kindling.
A good hammer for banging out nails.
Some pallet boards have been recycled from other pallets and you'll find pieces of older nails hidden in the wood. Get a nail set to pop out those bits. An awl or sharpened screwdriver will also work.
Occasionally nails will break off and it will be hard to remove them. This end nipper makes short work of them. Pliers will do in a pinch, but tends to gouge the wood more.
Worth every penny. I did hammer and port bar for a long time. Never again. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JH41U7M
the one I got and I can pull apart a pallet in like 5 min. Unless it's a weird one or the slots are too close
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JH41U7M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can also buy them already made but not near as fun.Vestil SKB-DLX Deluxe Steel Pallet Buster with Handle, 41",blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JH41U7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_3DHPZ406P07SS1WAPY3E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I'm not sure what carpenters use, but you could use a metal detecting pinpointer, which will either vibrate or beep when metal is detected. It looks like a wand.
Garrett Propointer II
Another tool I love for pallets is a pallet buster.
Pallet buster
Pallet buster and a "punch nailer" were my best $100 spent for tearing pallets apart. Literally cut my time by like 80%. The punch nailer requires an air compressor, but super worth it. Shoot the nails into a bucket with a hole cut in the lid and some water in the bucket.
You'll have so many boards you won't know what to do with them all. It takes all the work out of it. It'll also make you more picky when it comes to your pallets.