Growing up in rural Oklahoma I had the opportunity to catch and hold turantulas often. They are, IMO, the most docile creature I have encountered. They will crawl on you without malice and it seems even enjoy being pet. I know that sounds creepy, but it's true.
Also, another counter to this scientists claim that the leg thread evolved before the spinerette is the fact that the silk is not only used to catch prey but to "cacoon" it as well. A process which, if I'm not mistaken, the abdominal silk. This allows the spider's kiddos to be able to feed without fear of the larger insect injuring them.