My wife boght this.  These are her comments.  "OK, the were no assembly instructions (or invoice) or this Chinese-made product, but it was fairly simple.  Hold the barrel part upside down between your knees so the center knob is down.  Insert the enameled or painted, rounded end of the rod into the center tube and slide all the way to the far knob end.  That's the turning spindle. It sticks up from the base roughly 4".  While still holding the unit upside down, thread the nut onto the spindle so that you can see the unenameled side.  The enameled side will be visible looking down, once it's ready for use. (Yes, first the nut, then the base feet section.)  Finally, put the base section onto the threaded end of the spindle and give it a twirl until it stops.  Bring the whole unit carefully upright so the other end of the spindle stays put.  Mine didn't noticibly wobble but those little ball feet at the end of the legs are polished, painted metal so you need to hold the base with one hand when turning the barrel holding the earrings.  It turns nicely.  I believe that using museum putty or something else to anchor the feet would prove useful.  You don't want earrings to go flying."