Originally Posted by
John Coloccia
The stock bearings are 6202zz (i.e. shielded both sides). I suspect they choose shielded over sealed because sealed will have higher friction.
Whatever you do, though, don't buy them from VXB. If you simply type in 6202zz, the first links that come up are VXB links, and they seem to get lots of positive reviews. I bought 10, and every single one is an absolute piece of junk. They're actually worse than the trashed ones I was replacing. Pitiful. For some reason, the bad review I left seems to have disappeared.
I have had good luck with VXB but it could vary widely lot by lot, that in and of itself is enough to look to a company like Accurate.
I always use sealed bearings on guides, it is true they offer a bit more friction over shielded but you don't need them to spin that freely and they will last longer in the dust heavy environment.
Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.
Deep thought for the day:
Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.