Finally, about 15 minutes ago! The whole family was sick of me walking around with that top, rubber bands, rubber gloves, pliers and
juice so it was a timely triumph.
I figured I had nothing to lose so I turned the top upside down and stuck the adapter to its base (where it screws into the atty connector) into boiling hot water. Seconds later I was unscrewing that chewed up adapter and tossing it in the garbage. I wish I could say I took the time to examine it to see if it was defective but I was too
through! I had been dabbing hot water around it before, not knowing it needed a dunk.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I hope never to have this happen again but ya never know!