If you’ve been searching for a Magnalatch Series 2 replacement knob, you’ve probably already discovered the problem: D&D Technologies, the manufacturer, no longer makes Series 2 models or their replacement parts. The only official solution they’ll point you toward is upgrading to a Series 3 — which frequently doesn’t fit your existing gate hardware without expensive modifications, turning what should be a simple fix into a $300/door job.
This post exists because we’ve been there, we solved it, and we want pool owners to know there’s a better option.
Why Squirrels Love Your Magnalatch
If you have a pool, you almost certainly have a Magnalatch — or something similar — on your gate. They’re required for pool safety compliance in most jurisdictions: a top-pull mechanism that keeps the gate latched unless you reach over and deliberately pull the knob upward.
What nobody tells you is that squirrels love to gnaw on them.
The plastic top-pull knob is the perfect shape and texture for a squirrel to use as a teeth-sharpening surface. Within a season or two, what started as a functional safety latch looks like it’s been attacked with a wood chisel.
The damage isn’t just cosmetic. Once the knob is compromised, the latch becomes harder to operate — and in some failure modes, stops working as a safety device entirely.
The Part That Doesn’t Exist Anymore
Here’s where pool owners run into a wall. You call D&D Technologies looking for a replacement knob. You search their website. You call a pool supply store.
The answer is always the same: D&D does not sell replacement knobs for the Series 2 Magnalatch. The entire latch mechanism has to be replaced. And since D&D discontinued the Series 2, the “replacement” is a Series 3 — a different product with different mounting geometry that often doesn’t align with your existing gate holes.
What should be a $20 fix becomes:
- A new Series 3 latch (~$75)
- Possible gate modifications to fit the new hardware
- Installation labor if you hire it out
$300/door is not an exaggeration. We’ve heard it from customers repeatedly.
The Fix We Built
In 2021, we designed a 3D-printed replacement knob that fits directly onto the existing Series 2 latch mechanism — no new latch, no gate modifications, no contractor required. Over several generations of design refinement, we arrived at the current Gen3 version, which uses an AN10 aluminum flare cap instead of plastic.
The aluminum cap is the key upgrade. Squirrels can’t chew through it. It threads onto the 3D-printed base that fits your existing shaft, and the result is a knob that’s more squirrel-resistant than the original part ever was.
Installation takes about 10-15 minutes with basic tools. The only specialty tool required for some damage scenarios is a 1/16” drill bit — and only if the internal shaft has been compromised. We provide full installation guides, PDF instructions, and video walkthroughs for every damage scenario.
Series 3 Owners Too
We also make a replacement knob for the Series 3 / V3 Magnalatch, again with the aluminum cap option. Series 3 owners face a similar problem — the latch is still available, but the replacement knob isn’t sold separately, and the plastic original is just as vulnerable to squirrels.
What It Costs
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| D&D Series 2 replacement knob | Not available |
| Full door replacement (Series 3 + labor) | ~$300/door |
| Our Series 2 aluminum replacement knob | $16-20 |
| Our Series 3 aluminum replacement knob | ~$16-20 |
How to Get One
The replacement knobs are available in our Etsy shop. The first step is identifying which series you have and what level of damage you’re dealing with — our identification guide walks you through it with photos.
Full installation guides, videos, and documentation are on our Magnalatch page.
If you’re not sure which knob you need, or you have a damage scenario you don’t see covered, contact us — we’re happy to help diagnose before you order.
Cronological Technologies, LLC is not affiliated with D&D Technologies or Magnalatch. Magnalatch is a trademark of D&D GROUP PTY LTD.