snip much

i plan to try the capacitors to prevent oscillation,


That is the most important thing that you must do before going any further.
If not properly bypassed, 78 series regulators will *readily* oscillate
violently, particularly if you have long leads attached to them. Connect 0u1
between "in" and ground, and 4u7 in parallel with 0u1 between "out" and
ground. It is *essential* that these are soldered *directly* to the pins of
the device, not some distance away down the connecting wires.

Arfa