I have a piped-in dust collector, but with that said, I did for many years keep my laser in my wood shop. I would think most lasers are made to keep the dust out, but I kept mine covered when I was not using it and would never run the laser with dust in the air. Typically, lasers have a vacuum system to remove the smoke from the laser cabinet. The dust that is in the air will be sucked into the laser. Mine was in a full-time wood shop and it never had a problem.
Most wood shops are not insulated (does not do too much good with the doors of the shop open). I am more concerned about temperature; I do not laser when it is too hot or too cold. Most American-made lasers are air cooled and if you run it when it’s too hot, it could overheat. The cold is not good for it either, until it’s warms up. I would say don’t run your laser below 35 degrees or above 95 degrees.
—Express Yourself Austin
