I am wanting to buy a quality grain mill from somewhere... What does everyone out there use? I have checked out plenty of websites online but wasn't sure what to choose between. Are there any NZ places that sell them?
I think all of those brands are fine, they are generally ex-usa but occasionally you hear of someone here selling spare ones they brought in. I got a monster, but others here have got other ones on your list, nobody is unhappy with their purchase as far as I am aware. If you ever intend to hook it up to an electric motor though, make sure you go for the larger diameter shaft (for the monster that is the half inch from memory). As Studio1 says, there are quite a few extended discussions on the forum if you do a search. The postage is a bit of a killer as you say, however if you bring in a couple you should be able to land them for about $200 each or less.
I just landed a hand crank Weston Grain mill I scored off Ebay.
It cost US $ 28.99 , landed on my doorstep it cost me NZ $170.
That is not bad for a weighty item like this.
The trader is m1i1l1t1o1n704
You don't want a yank electric mill that runs on their 'gay' 120v 60hz!
The deal with electric mills is they cost heaps, cheapest from a NZ site was $600.
The Weston hand Mill is a beefy looking galvanized casting with a hopper that holds just short of a Kg of grain.
It clamps on the end of the kitchen bench overhang, it has a rubber protector for the bench top.
The pleasant thing for me was the Mill is actually larger than the advertising pictures show, a rare thing these days!
It is adjustable for grain types and degree of milling.
It is not too much exercise to mill the grain, no electrics to shit themselves, perfect for the home brewer, it will last for years.