Where to buy a slim 17mm spanner?

Get a cheap one and grind it down? Or if it's for something not tight, see if there is a bike one?

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Snapon Tools

Or depending on how the bolt is located a box spanner.

That's certainly a possibility, I think I have some fairly gash old

No, it's a shaft with only narrow access that I want to prevent from rotating. There's no access from the ends at all.

...which is called a "17 mm cone wrench". Come in cheap stamped metal, or better, i.e. Park Tools.

Thomas Prufer

Yup. In my case to remove the vacuum modulator valve on a GM auto box.

I assumed the OP was asking about an open ender.

In American, it's a cone spanner in English :-)

Do bear Dave's "if it's for something not tight" in mind though. Cone spanners, even the better quality ones, are easily damaged if misused as standard spanners.

On the other hand a cheap one treated as disposable might be good enough if it's a one time job, and easier than grinding down a normal spanner.

Alternatively, buy something like:

Angle grinder time :-)

Mike

I actually need the slim spanner to hold the shaft of the angle grinder while removing/fixing grind wheels. The push button lock has sheared. I have other angle grinders though! :-)

Just goes to show - you need AT LEAST two angle grinders :)

Andrew

Back in the '70s I ground down 2 reasonably good spanners, very slowly to avoid heating them, on a horizontal grinder at work. Did one side only to keep the treated metal on the other side. Took 'em to about 2 - 2.5mm IIRC. Did 14/15 and 15/16 so as to fit most cones, with Campag Record in mind. They're still OK and were the onl ones that would move a cone that hadn't been locked down and had been screwed in by the wheel to the point where we couldn't turn the wheel by hand. Amazing really, for only one 'proper' side.

Williams Superslim used to be the must have brand of spanner. No idea if they are still available.