My father's type

[soggy-flakes]

.....

[FDG]

ISTp?

[Expat]

Yes despite the "hopeless at mechanical stuff" thingy ISTp does seem to be it.

At face value, possible relationships - supervision (if you were the supervisor), benefit, super-ego - - not conflict. I think benefict with you as the benefactor makes sense.

[Spiral]

.

[dreamer]

ISTP?

[Expat]

Well, first, it seemed to be asymmetric -- your relationship with your mother seemed more symmetric, that is, there are good and less good aspects, but you both seem to experience them.

The overall feel I get from your relationship with your father is a sort of puzzlement, as if you didn't understand him totally, but not in a supervising sort of way where you just point out his perceived flaws. You do not understand him totally and feel awkward about him; but not so much as with conflict or supervision.

It also appears that he respects you but has sort of "given up" on having a deeper connection with you, which is often the case in the longer term for the beneficiary.