OK - i re-read THIS with more experience under my belt now...
the fundamental comprehension lacking was that; the Supply gives what is needed (within it's capacity) while the Device draws what is required.
so; yes - if it is getting hot - it's the Device that is drawing it - which indicates something not right.
when i said hot, i was referring to the actual metal pins on the jumpers that was connected to the power rail (as i was unplugging it, i actually touched the metal part) - although, perhaps there was also something not quite right with the circuit - some connection to the LEDs i think.
the chips themselves were not running hot.
what i'm doing is just a full adder with OR, NAND and 2xAND quad gates (4011, 4071, 4081)
so i guess there's really no problem - aside from the second full adder not functioning properly (for the 2nd-bit) - but that's a different issue of re-checking the wiring.
so the power supply remains as is.
Thanks all !