TLDR: If you need Magnalatch replacement knobs for your Series 2 or Series 3 latch — especially if D&D Technologies told you the part doesn’t exist — they do now, and they’re topped with an aluminum cap!
A few years ago we put in a pool. With a pool comes safety requirements we had (mostly) already met — 5ft fence, chimes on doors leading to pool, etc. We also found out we had to put special safety latches on our gates to keep really tall kids out. Now our gates have two latches on them — one regular and one safety latch — and require a very coordinated adult to figure out the secret order to open them both.
All was well until our first Spring with the pool. Suddenly our latches appeared like they had been chiseled off by some tiny creature. My wife finally spotted the squirrels using them to sharpen their teeth and this is what we were left with.
Fast forward a few years and one latch replacement (~$70 each) later — yes, you have to replace the whole latch mechanism, you can’t just replace the knob. I decided to design my own replacement in CAD and print them on my 3D printer. I figured that was that.
It was not that.
The Rest Is History
The comments and messages kept coming. Turns out this is an extremely common problem — squirrels, it seems, have a universal preference for Magnalatch knobs as dental equipment. Pool owners across the country were hitting the same wall: D&D Technologies doesn’t sell replacement knobs. The only official fix is a whole new latch. And since they discontinued the Series 2, that means buying a Series 3 — which often doesn’t fit the existing gate hardware without expensive modifications.
The math pool owners kept telling me:
- New Series 3 latch: ~$75
- Gate modifications to make it fit: varies
- Contractor labor: typically $300+ per door total
For a product that’s supposed to be a safety device, “just pay $300/door” is a terrible answer.
So in 2021 I launched Cronological Technologies on Etsy and started selling proper replacement knobs. Over several design iterations, we landed on the current Gen3: a 3D-printed base sized to fit your existing latch shaft, topped with an AN10 or AN12 aluminum flare cap that squirrels literally cannot chew through.
The Damage We’ve Seen
What surprised me most was the variety of ways squirrels manage to destroy these things. Over hundreds of orders, customers have sent photos of damage ranging from “took a few bites” to “there is essentially nothing left.” Here’s a sample of what we regularly see on Series 2 / V2 latches:
The V2 breaks down into two scenarios:
- Option A: Knob is gone but the internal shaft is fully intact — easiest installation, no special tools
- Option B: The shaft itself has been damaged by gnawing — requires a 1/16” drill bit to clear it out before the replacement seats properly
And on Series 3 / V3 latches, the damage patterns are different because the latch design is different — but squirrels are equally creative:
V3 knobs require a Torx T10 security screwdriver for removal — we sell these as an add-on during checkout so you don’t have to track one down separately.
How to Figure Out What You Need
If you’re staring at a destroyed latch right now:
- Identify your series — use this guide with photos to confirm V2 vs V3. You may be able to tell from the images above.
- Check your damage level — the same guide shows what each damage scenario looks like and which option to order. If your squirrels have decimated the original body, you may have to buy a new one. That being said, our aluminum upgrade is great fore new V3 replacement locks.
- Order from Etsy — ships fast, full installation videos and online PDFs included:
Full installation documentation, videos, and more background is on the Cronological Technologies Magnalatch page.
If you’re not sure what you have or the damage looks unusual, contact me before ordering — happy to help diagnose.
Cronological Technologies, LLC is not affiliated with D&D Technologies or Magnalatch. Magnalatch is a trademark of D&D GROUP PTY LTD.