Abstract: A tool support and monitoring assembly for a press. The tool includes upper and lower die shoes, back-up plates, and upper and lower die tooling. The die tooling is secured to the back-up plate and includes a first surface facing the back-up plate and an opposite second surface. The back-up plate defines an air plenum which is connected to a pressure monitoring device. The die tooling defines a plurality of small bores which communicate with the air plenum. The bores extend from the first surface toward the second surface of the die tooling. The pressure monitoring device detects air pressure in the air plenum and bores, and shuts down the press to prevent a subsequent stroke when a pressure drop indicative of tool failure is detected.