I've used all sorts of things to clamp depending on what it is clothpins work good for replacing thin stuff or copper wire. If you want a tough wood peg use a chop stick ,you need to be eating healthier food any way.
I repaired a Chinese match lock pistol once and the barrel pins were wood one was missing so I used a chop stick, thought that was appropriate, a Chinese guy that interpreted the writing on the barrel thought it was funny.
The only screw on the entire pistol was the breech plug about three turns to the inch. I had to make a brass spring for it.