A method of manufacturing a flash-free lamp base (10), wherein the lamp
base (10) comprises a shell (14), an eyelet (16) and a glass,
electrically insulating part (18) therebetween and joining the shell (14)
and the eyelet (16), the shell and the eyelet being electrically
conductive, the shell (14) having a tubular portion (14a) with an open
end (14b) and a partially closed end (14c) defining a volume (14d)
therebetween, the partially closed end (14c) including a tapered area
(14e) terminating in a reentrant section (14f) that extends into the
volume (14d) and defines an inner annulus (14g). The method of making the
base comprises the steps of positioning the shell (14) and the eyelet
(16) at a workstation (19) in spaced, axial alignment with one another
defining a gap therebetween; actuating a first forming tool (20) through
the tubular portion (14a) and into engagement with the tapered area (14e)
and the inner annulus (14g); dispensing a quantity of molten glass (32)
into the gap; and actuating a second forming tool (22) within the first
forming tool (20) to form the molten glass (32) into an electrically
insulating part (18) between the shell (14) and the eyelet (16). The base
so formed is free from extraneous glass flashing and thereby provides a
base less likely to contaminate the lamp manufacturing process.