I have a Mitchell 300 reel that I bought about 1970 or '71. It got dropped and the foot broke. The break is clean, with no chip-outs. I've thought of trying to fix it with some JB Weld, but don't know how I'd clamp it during cure. Does anyone have ideas about how to save this reel? It's in otherwise great shape.

Yes, I thought it looked like sintered "White metal," as we used to call it. Lots of voids in the casting.

Thanks, will look for the Penn. No hurry; I do almost no spin fishing now.

Thanks, troutcaster. I may do that. I also think I'll hack the foot off, glue the piece on, and use it for a reel seat alignment sight. The glue joint should have strength enough for that.

If it has sentimental value, I’d try one of these ideas:

Try drilling and tapping the broken off part for a 4/40 or 2-56 thread and see how it works.

If it is OK, fabricate another “side” of the foot out of an old fly reel foot or a piece of curved steel long enough to secure to the unbroken half with a couple of counter sunk flathead machine screws, paint it dark blue and go fishin’.

If that doesn’t suit you, make a curved “splint” out of a piece of curved steel (maybe a piece cut from ½” EMT) to straddle the break. Drill, tap and screw in place on both sides. Paint it dark blue and go fishin’…

…or JB Weld the splint instead of screwing it.

Obviously replacing the body is the best solution and swapping out the parts is a piece of cake, but I think that’s where the serial number is if that matters at all to you.

My thinking is my 35-y-o Penn 4400SS caught all Jay's fish on our recent Rockport trip (and has also caught kings and jacks), while my Mitchell 300 from high school was shot by college for the same fishing.

Tomah, I have several 300's I would be glad to send you one you can use for a new frame and other parts. Just PM me your address.