Happy Birthday Merziac!
One tool that I've always wanted, but have never bought, is the Knipex "pliers wrench" Opens up to 25mm or 1", and the jaws always close parallel, and they are smooth, so you can grab anything from 1mm to 25mm and not mar it. If you look at the pivot point and how the jaw slides you have an incredible amount of clamping force with these "pliers". I have heard a very good review of them from a machinist friend that has some.
The 5" pair is $35 though, but should be able to deal with axle nuts pretty well...
https://smile.amazon.com/KNIPEX-86-0...2&sr=8-33&th=1