Abstract: A mud pan support device magnetically attachable to, and releasable from, a flat bottom panel of a mud pan to be carried in one hand while applying joint compound with a trowel or mud spreading tool held in the other hand. The device includes an elongated substantially flat support panel and a handle connected to and extending from a central area of one surface of the support panel. A substantially flat magnetized panel is connected to, and is at least partially coextensive with, another surface of the support panel and is sized to be at least partially coextensive with the bottom panel of the mud pan. The magnetized panel is of sufficient magnetically attractive strength to serve as an only means for secure magnetic engagement between the magnetized panel and the bottom panel when the mud pan is filled with mud or plaster.