Appreciation post: My mud pan cracked right down the middle yesterday morning

I was loading up for a ceiling job in a new build over in Springfield, and the whole bottom just gave out. Wet mud went everywhere, all over my boots and the subfloor. Had to run to the supply house and grab a new Marshalltown 14-inch, which set me back about $35. Anyone have a brand that holds up better over time, or is this just how it goes?

3 comments

3 Comments

martinez.anna1mo agoMost Upvoted

Had a Marshalltown crack on me the same way last fall, right down the middle while I was just scooping. Switched over to a Kraft Tool blue steel pan and it's been solid for about six months now, even with heavy daily use. The trick I learned is to never let them sit in direct sun or a hot truck bed for too long, that heat makes the metal brittle and weak. Also, try not to drop them on concrete floors or smack them on the ground to knock dried mud off, that's what really starts hairline cracks.

ericschmidt2mo ago

Wait, it cracked while you were just loading it?

thomas1052mo ago

Happened to me last week with a brand new plate. Just set it down on the counter and it split right in half.