I have a less 'pretty,' but less painful, possible solution, after looking at a closeup from Steves website on his adapter construction. While it would be nice to have a multimeter to ensure you've got power to the atty side of the adapter, it's simple enough we're going to assume - yes, you very likely do.
Steve - pls correct me if somehow I am *not* looking at the 801 adapter closeup, or if you can provide a front/back shot of the adapter..
The 801 attys have a black 'ring' on the battery side. Normally, these ride over the battery, and are sort of just 'decoration.' The atty screws onto the battery 'until it's snug,' at which point you have center contact to center contact, the other one being the threads itself..witt the atty 'ring' end/battery end unblocked, only blockage is threads snug, which is *really* the center contact is now snug.
On the adapter...that ring is 'blocked' from going all the way in, thus you wind up playing with the center post.
Solution for drum - get some sandpaper or emery. Put on a flat surface, like wrap a block of wood. Put atty with battery end down. Rub back and forth, sanding the 'ring' down. DO NOT GO TO THE THREADS. The 'ring' overhangs the threads inside by a bit over 1/8". I'l bet if you remove 1/16"-1/8" of an inch off of that 'ring' on the battery side of that atty, it will allow you to snug down enough to make contact required. MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN OUT ANY DUST IF YOU DO THIS BEFORE VAPING.
Steve - if this solves it, just extend your adapter threads outwards a bit, and let the center contact define 'tightness' versus 'bottoming out the atty into the adapter.
This would be more certain with one in my hand but..I believe this will work.
