Suggestion....If you can, get one of Tamiya's turntable paint stands. Comes with several clips and springs for around $25 (if you have a Hobby Lobby nearby use the 40% coupon, will drop the price to around $14).
Or you can take a piece of 1x4 or 1x6 scrap, drill some holes in it and use some aligator clips to hold the pieces or sprues you are painting.