624 ball bearing

My apologies if this is a dumb question (and I did search for the answer, I promise), but are 624 bearings the same as (or at least compatible with) 624Z? When I search for it, I find 624Z, 624ZZ, even 6242Z, but no 624.

the Z or ZZ or -2Z suffix means that bearing is fitted with shield (http://www.skf.com/group/products/bearings-units-housings/ball-bearings/deep-groove-ball-bearings/single-row-deep-groove-ball-bearings/sealed-bearings/bearings-with-shields/index.html). Dimensions are exactly the same.

So just to be sure I understand you correctly, these are all types of 624 and should work correctly, and there is no such thing as a 624 without a suffix?

Yes. All 624 bearings are 4x13x5 but they will be manufactured with rubber or metal shields on both sides, and with tolerances for temperature expansion - this is what the suffix tells you.

I suppose it's possible to buy budget bearings that are open on both sides (usually I just buy the rubber shielded ones and pop off the shields), which theoretically could be marked as plain "624".

EDIT:
And as if by magic, here's a UK seller of open budget bearings: http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/product_detail.php?products_id=170611&gclid=CN37s5eogL0CFWjmwgodb2UAtA

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2014 06:38AM by QuackingPlums.

I use the 2RS type, i.e. rubber shields because I find the metal shields sometimes protrude and catch on the washers. The rubber ones always seem to be recessed.

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