It arrives in two pieces and I have had trouble with the two pieces coming apart. Also, at the top of the cylinder there is a plastic piece that is supposed to anchor the umbrella.  The plastic piece did not fit securely inside.  I gave it two stars because it is a good hefty cast iron base and it did support the umbrella well (before the two pieces came apart) and the screw on the side worked well.  If you are mechanically inclined maybe you will have better luck in securing the two pieces together.  Finally, I liked the design of the cast iron base, too.