The present invention relates to a method of making a nanoscale electronic device wherein said device comprises a gap between about 0.1 nm and about 100 nm between at least two conductors, semiconductors or the combination thereof. The method features complete assembly of electrical contacts before addition of a molecular component thereby preserving the integrity of the molecular electronic component and maintaining a well-formed gap. The gap produced is within the nanoscale regime, has uniform width and is further characterized by surfaces that are uniformly smooth.