alternatives to a pneumatic or electric pin nailer

Holding tiny brad nails without hammering your finger can be difficult. Some solutions are:

• the back side of a 12 ounce cross peen hammer, called a "Warrington hammer" or "joiners' hammer" [1] [2] [3]
• a pin pusher / brad pusher
• hold the nail in place with an impromptu tool, just long enough to set the nail
  • a hair pin
  • a piece of paper
  • a piece of cardboard
  • needlenose pliers work too, of course
• if you're wanting to clamp two boards together just long enough for glue to dry, consider instead using just clamps