Ken, KC2JDY wrote:
"Smallest Nicopress I could find was 1/32" (.031") cable, 26 ga."

That`s pretty small.

If you don`t Nicopress, the "Western Union Splice" is a good
alternative. It is shown on page 20-4 of the 19th edition of the ARRL
Antenna Book as Fig 3. A copper-wire Table on page 20-2 relates wire
size in AWG / B&S to English and Metric sizes and other characteristics.

Much good information is in the 19th edition of the ARRL Antenna Book,
Chapter 20, for those who would hang wires, rods, or tubing in the air.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI