First of all you will need to IMAGE the failing drive to a good one, using non-windows s/w (such as dd_rescue, media tools pro etc..). Then use recovery s/w such as GetDataBack, R-Studio etc..
But if your drive is failing, then there's a good chance it will fail completely while using amateur tools/methods.
AT THIS POINT professional recovery shouldn't cost much more (if at all) than buying decent s/w.
DIY at your own risk, but please don't expect a cheap professional recovery if the drive fails completely, expect 10x cost it would be now.
If it's only personal data that you don't mind losing then certainly go down the DIY route by all means and I wish you all the best of luck