Once the screws have been removed, the base can be separated from the metal body.

One of mine came apart easily, but the other wasn't wanting to come apart. I partially inserted one of the screws, put some sideways pressure on it to lock it into the plastic while applying enough force downwards to pull the base off.

The base came off pretty easily using this technique and no chance of damaging the metal body or plastic base as long as you're not too heavy handed.