Abstract: A warning system for pneumatic fastener driving tools that acceptable bumper deterioration has been exceeded thereby to warn against further use of a tool prior to replacement of the bumper. A piston carrying a driver blade moves from an upper position of rest to lower fastener driven positions. The piston sealingly engages the cylinder wall via a sealing ring. As the bumper deteriorates, the piston moves to lower and lower fastener driven positions. When the piston reaches a predetermined lower position, the effectiveness of the sealing ring is impaired, as by engagement with a notch or edge which tends to destroy or dislodge the sealing ring. This allows high pressure air to escape past the sealing ring to signal that the bumper should be replaced, as by seriously reducing the effectiveness or operability of the tool or as by producing an audible signal by the escaping high pressure air, or both.