81 Years Old and Still Scroll Sawing, Meet Mike Moorlach

by Angela Schilling, Meteorologist
December 22, 2011 6:44 PM


The motor starts and the wheels are turning, Mike Moorlach is at ease.

"You get better and better and before you know it you're hooked,” says Moorlach.

Now at 81 years of age, this self-described Dutchmen has seen a lot over the years and has carved a story of his own.  Born and raised in the Netherlands Mike first picked up a scroll saw at the age of 15.  Granted the machinery has changed since then, going from a jig saw to now a much faster piece of equipment, his love for the craft however hasn’t slowed down since.

"You've seen some of my work and you know I'm proud of it,” says Moorlach.

As the requests came in and his confidence grew he began selling his masterpieces to make extra money, including anything from Christmas ornaments to manger scenes, and intricate clocks.  As the demand grew he figured out ways to make numerous ornaments at once.

"We call it stack cutting where you can do more than one at once or up to eight sometimes ten,” mentions Moorlach.

So what keeps him carving, keeps him going at the age of 81?  Sometimes a few kind words can mean a ton.  No matter the age, some would agree we all want to be appreciated.

"Especially Christmas ornaments people say oh beautiful and you know it makes you feel good,” says Moorlach.

It’s been over 60 years since Mike picked up his first scroll saw, still scroll sawing, still a hobby, still giving them away, and as technology continues to advance Mike continues to do the same.  In the words of Mike, for scroll sawing there is no such thing as a time frame no matter the project.