I wouldn't really consider it a skill shot for two reasons.

1. like you mentioned, it may not always "bounce" across to the other hole (which to my experience is what normally happens). If you get the wrong lane to start with, you can jiggle the game and get it to drop in the correct hole.
2. If you miss falling in the correct hole, you can always hit the ball back up into the lit hole to get the 10X scoring.

And no, I would not want to look at a JJ or JIB with anything other than the friendly blue clown face (Clowns don't scare me!).

And, sometimes, the Left hole is the Right hole.......

I will admit that it is probably one of the most valuable shots in EMs but again, if you miss it, you have plenty of chances to re-shoot the holes to get the 10X lit. Certainly before you hit your last clown down!

There are other games where one shot IS more important. Games with sequences that you have to complete and one of the numbers appears only on the upper rollovers. I think in another thread Sure Shot and Buccaneer were mentioned. I am sure there are plenty of others. Those are games where, by 5th ball, if you haven't made the 1 rollover, you might as well just let the ball drain........

Seems to me that having to make 20 cuts in metal is WAY too much work?

All that work and you put the wrong bumper bodies and skirts on???

For the most part, that style coin mech is generic. 3" x 5" body. Just depends on what denomination you need 5 cent, 10 cent or 25 cent (US quarter). Canadian quarter mechs are missing the magnet.