Often we see posts where it's only too easy to go OT offering ideas on making these work better. So here's what I've found in my years on the bench and in the field.
Solder suckers work best with lubrication and some form of heat resistant oil works wonders. In one factory, I worked in we found a tin of gun oil and tried it out on ours. These days I use WD 40 or similar.
As for the tip deforming with heat - stick a Hellerman sleeve on it. Better suction and if it burns - cut the burnt bit off.
Tip a bit slow to heat up- dip it in a pot of flux.
Add some solder + flux to the joint to get it flowing.
And if all fails, and it's a small board- heat the solder up and flick off the excess on a waste surface.
