Interesting Doc. First, I'd never seen the "Easy Reel" product but since I run Polars I wouldn't be looking for stuff that already exists on my stuff. Love them little Polar handles for picking up!
Second, correct me if I'm wrong, looks like the spool is fine but you snapped the shaft. How is that possible unless you are the Incredible Hulk? All the shafts I've seen Polar and Beaver Dam are stainless steel and will only bend and not break unless you do a lot of repetitive bending. Regardless of the location, can you see if the break was all new or was cracked/flawed just waiting for a little stress?
Last, I've never been a fan of BD spool attachment. When they were soldered on it was a nightmare to repack. I know, I did hundreds when I worked at the tackle shop. When they went to the nut on the end, that was the best but I don't know why they didn't stick with it unless it was some sort of patent thing. The set screw would make me uneasy too. If it's an Allen that's a plus but I'd be inclined to replace it with a properly hardened set screw anyway. Then I'd mark where it engages the shaft and make a slight indent with either a drill, Dremel or file to keep the spool from spinning or sliding on the shaft. Finally, when I slapped it all together I'd put a drop of LockTite on that set screw.
I know, sounds like a lot of fooling around but there's not too much you buy today that doesn't benefit from some aftermarket engineering. Even my beloved Polars have had their cheap, stamped nuts replaced with SS nylocks, a custom spool/shaft retainer for transport and a rubber sleeve to keep the line guide from spinning (that pen clip thing was useless). I do like the spool retention on the Polars. I can pull one apart, clean, re-lube and re-assemble in about 15 minutes.
