Yes, there are more ways to assure both linings touch at the same time. The manuals state it quite well.
If you pull the main/longest lever by hand, and adjust the (stainless steel aftermarket) connecting rod, you can feel exactly when the other one touches to. The main lever moves back against you hand (down) and feel sudden resistance in the twisting of the connecting rod.
@ Stinkwheel do you have more info about your rebuilt? What kind of half widt drum?
Ofcourse you cannot leave out the central nut.
\But- repeatmodus-/ when wheel in a vice, and you need one hand to twist down the central nut, you have only one hand to pull the main brake lever.. resulting in turning of the brake plate over the axle, so you cannot apply force, OR when gripping along with the axle, this results not in centering by the both linings, but off-centered by the force you apply with your hand.
I must conclude, best results give me if the brake plate has a little (..) play. The central nut secured against the inner fork leg (and/or a drop of glue/loctite if you want)
I love my enfield diesel but am struggling with the front brake for many years.. should i buy another(3rd) wheel? Get the drum skimmed again untill round and again try 6 different pairs of linings?
This is how much smaller my cams are. I udes the non-crooked(distorted?) ones to rework. Besided giving much more pressure, the are now (..)also exactly the same size. (original they were not)
And yes, additional spring for good return is nessecary.