Method of making a spark plug

A method of making a spark plug that includes a ground electrode having an electrode main body and a noble metal chip joined to the electrode main body by interposing therebetween an intermediate member, the noble metal chip being disposed so as to face a center electrode and define therebetween a spark discharge gap, the method comprising the steps of:

• prior to joining the noble metal chip to the electrode main body, joining the intermediate member and the noble metal chip together and thereby forming a noble metal chip and intermediate member assembly;
• placing the noble metal chip and intermediate member assembly on the electrode main body in a way as to allow the intermediate member to contact the electrode main body;
• and
• welding the electrode main body and the intermediate member of the noble metal chip and intermediate member assembly together while restricting relative movement of the electrode main body and the intermediate member of the noble metal chip and intermediate member assembly without applying an urging force to a joint between the intermediate member and the noble metal chip by using an another member.