If you have a video camera on your phone then take a short video and post the Youtube link here. It would be easier to critique the work being done if we can see it being done.

I use a small anvil & vice grips covered in cloth to do my pinning, my hammer is a child's tool - maybe 4 ozs. I am no pro at pinning, but I find little problems in doing it. I cant speak too much on the types of brass - what I got came from a hobby store in 6ft length, and I am still working with that one piece and it is soft enough and works great. I have seen a dramatic difference in my pinning once I got the smaller hammer and started using light taps.